The Loss of Cursive Writing
Jun 25, 2019 07:50:16 #
Makes me wonder how legal documents (checks, contracts etc.) will be sealed in the future. The signature has been the key for so long.
Jun 25, 2019 07:52:53 #
berchman
Loc: South Central PA
cascoly wrote:
next luddites will be opining that people no longer know how to take a square root or use a map & compass or tune their car!!!
next luddites will be opining that people no longer know how to take a square root or use a map & compass or tune their car!!!
Although old, I am definitely not a Luddite since I have spent a ridiculous amount of money on gadgets, electronic and otherwise. But think of being lost in the wilderness. Your GPS device either cannot get a satellite reading, the batteries have failed, the device just stops working. A map and compass and the knowledge to use them will save your life. I did take an orienteering course once, but it didn't last long enough for me to master the technique of reading a geological map.
Jun 25, 2019 08:06:01 #
After having been taught as a young man to read and write script and block print two foreign languages (Russian & German) by US Army I certainly understand the amount of teaching effort required of educators. It is much easier to discuss Jack and Jill's social issues than to correct a sloppy slant....
Jun 25, 2019 08:13:17 #
GPappy wrote:
If they do away with cursive, how would you sign your name? You still will need a valid signature for drivers license, passport etc...
I believe a signature is just a mark. My signature is not legible in cursive writing but the bank accepts it on my checks. I recently had a lawyer draw up a will for me. When it came to the signatures, I put my scrawl on it and his was even less legible. Looked something like this (just an illustration, not his actual signature). The will gets recorded as a legal document with those signatures.
I don't see any reason that printing should not be accepted as a signature mark given what is currently accepted. A signature should be something that you can produce easily and be able to identify as yours. Something that is produced with muscle memory rather than a nice drawing.
Jun 25, 2019 08:19:59 #
I learned to type in high school (1950) and never looked back although computers have ruined my typing skills. I don’t know what use anyone has for cursive - I create new documents in Word and fill out documents using Word or a PDF editor. Signing is no issue - I can still scrawl my name or paste it in documents.
Jun 25, 2019 08:20:21 #
OlinBost
Loc: Marietta, Ga.
My grandson is in this predicament. He can not sign his name in cursive nor readily read it. He will be a senior in high school next year and he has excellent grades.
Jun 25, 2019 08:28:58 #
jerryc41 wrote:
I'm still flabbergasted that cursive writing - scr... (show quote)
Very sad trend. The most important loss here is the self-discipline.
Jun 25, 2019 08:34:12 #
DirtFarmer wrote:
I believe a signature is just a mark. My signature... (show quote)
Well I guess you're probably right. I was taught to take pride in myself and that included my signature. I was also taught that when you couldn't make out a signature, that person was hiding something and your trust in that person should be Leary. I had an Uncle that was a business person and at one time state Commander in the VFW. He had beautiful hand writing and many times when speaking of professional business people and politicians he would mention to look at the signature involved. If you could read it it showed they had pride in what they did and didn't attempt to hide anything. So today with all the whining screaming jerks we have to contend with, I guess it is fitting. You just can't trust anybody anymore.
Jun 25, 2019 08:39:53 #
Never had a problem reading cursive, writing it, well that's another subject....My signature is like that of doctors, unintelligible.
Jun 25, 2019 08:43:50 #
Jun 25, 2019 08:49:24 #
Primary grade, 1 to 4, should be use to teach the most important subjects, reading,writing and mathematics, with those skills mastered you can go through life and fonction.
Jun 25, 2019 09:14:01 #
We learned the Rheinhart method of cursive. 1/2 hour every school day from the third grade to the sixth grade. We learned to print in the first and second grades. Cursive was an important part of honing small motor skills. I wonder what they are teaching now in that half hour that we spent learning to write? 
Jun 25, 2019 09:20:21 #
bookman
Loc: Southeast Michigan
berchman wrote:
I have always regretted having been taught the plain and ugly Palmer method of cursive writing rather than the beautiful, ornate Spencer method. I still have the Montblanc fountain pen used by my father-in-law, but I don't use it. Now, email has taken the place of the lengthy hand-written letters I used to send to my friends.
https://www.thehenryford.org/explore/blog/handwriting-in-america/
https://www.thehenryford.org/explore/blog/handwriting-in-america/
Reminds me of a book title I once saw: "Don't Raise the Bridge, Lower the Water"
Jun 25, 2019 09:44:27 #
In Missouri, many schools have returned to cursive writing. Nearly all of my spring students are education majors. I always ask them how they feel about teaching cursive, and 100% of them always say YES to teaching cursive. That's the voice of future teachers.
Jun 25, 2019 09:47:49 #
gvarner
Loc: Central Oregon Coast
The next advance will be using an "X" for your signature and requiring an accompanying notarization to verify it as being you. For you conspiracy theorists, it’s all a plot of notaries so they can jack up their rates. 😜😜
But then again, I have seen printed scrawls that are awfully unique and nearly impossible to counterfeit.
But then again, I have seen printed scrawls that are awfully unique and nearly impossible to counterfeit.
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