Losing the art of handwriting?

Question

Hi,folks,
Earlier today I wanted to scribble out a note in proper joined-up handwriting.
When I started writing,I was really having to concentrate on what I was doing (tongue stuck out,slight squint) as if I was back at primary school. The writing wasn't as fluid as it used to be- in these days of e-mail and phone texts,are we all losing this skill,or is it me? Is this a step in our evolution?
Phew- Thank God I only had to type this.........
Anyone else noticed?

Oh,and thanx everyone for getting rid of 'The finger' guy- there's always one,isn't there?

Good point,DX- I once wrote with a £50 Watermans' fountain pen,and the difference in style was noticeable:much improved. (I actually felt more intellectual- bizarre.......)

Answer 1

Yes I think you are absolutely right, I tend to type everything. The exception being, I always hand write "Thank -you " notes to people who have sent me birthday or Christmas presents. ( A long-running hang-over habit from child-hood, when I was made to write them!) Also every other week I hand write a long letter to an Aunt and Uncle, who are both in their late eighties, they are old-fashioned and think that it is rude to type a personal letter. They are also both quite deaf, so it is pointless to telephone them. This task keeps me on my toes with regard to writing, ( they also both have bad eye-sight, ) so I have to make sure that I write neatly and legibly. I enjoy writing to them, apart from my sister, they are the last of my remaining family.

Answer 2

Yes, I have noticed this in myself (and younger generations as well) However, In my case, it's not because of computers, I am in an architectural field, and there is a very specific style of print that is used, and that is all I have used for the last 8 years. The only thing I remember how to write in cursive is my name. It seems to me that penmanship is a fading art.

Answer 3

My writing is much worse than it was. I assume it must be because of computers. We just don't need to write so much down now, which I think is a bit sad. Somedays, as you said I really have to concentrate and think about how I've written.

I used to write lots of letters before I had a PC at home and now I'm thinking about it there is something really nice about getting a handwritten letter with someone's indivdual "print" on it - much more personal I think.

Answer 4

I agree. My handwriting was never properly joined. I print really well so i do that most of the time. A lot of schools are not even concentrating on teaching cursive anymore. soon it will be a lost art or just art.

Answer 5

I think it was Orwell who wrote of the neat handwriting of the illiterate.
So if you are like me a scribble like an epileptic spider on the page, then count yourself as one who's thoughts are so formed that the writing of them comes a distant second

Answer 6

That is intersting... I have not noticed it. I do like typing better - I feel more organized. I love hand writing too. I just hate when I recieve something that has been scribbled.

Answer 7

my hand writing getting worse each year and my spelling
when i went to primary school , i had poor eye vision was not notice until i was 10 years old , the schools where failing in the sixty's and are still failing now

Answer 8

God, my hand writhing has gotten so much worse since I left catholic school..it looks like a chicken had a pen stuck between it's toes

Answer 9

I still write a lot but not in joined up writing anyway. Its not comfortable for me and I am always being complimented on my hand writing.

Answer 10

I have noticed that penmanship in the younger generation is woefully lacking and yes, I believe the computer has something to do with the problem.