Purcell: The dying art of cursive
Cursive
Tom Purcell
Tom Purcell, a freelance writer, is also a humor columnist for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review and is nationally syndicated exclusively by Cagle Cartoons newspaper syndicate. Email him at Purcell@caglecartoons.com.
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6 comments:
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sockratties posted at 10:56 pm on Wed, Jul 18, 2012.
california leon... a modern teacher would teach you how to use the caps lock/unlock key.
sockratties posted at 10:51 pm on Wed, Jul 18, 2012.
Just as using slide rules, chemical photography, callegraphy and writing on stone with chisels, cursive writing has filled a need and will become an arcane pastime. If individuals want to learn cursive writing they can do so on their own dime. Public education is about preparation for life, not learning hobbies.
fae4now posted at 3:08 pm on Wed, Jul 18, 2012.
Private thought: why does this guy Purcell annoy me so much?
Public answer: because his articles consistently demonstrate an out of touch-ness that is, well - annoying!
Newsflash! The trend away from teaching cursive has been ongoing for a good 15 years now. That's a whole generation ago!
And it is sad for all the sentimental reasons stated. Here's a weepy moment for you- 23 year old college honors student receives a gift by mail from his 85 year old Grandmother. She encloses a handwritten note. He calls to thank her and then, with some embarrassment, asks what her note said. He had difficulty reading in cursive.
Sure wish Tom would try a little harder to stay current. Based on some of his previously stated views I doubt he would support additional funding for schools to continue to teach the sentimental art of cursive cypher.
Leon Ceniceros posted at 9:00 pm on Tue, Jul 17, 2012.
WHEN THE TV DOCUMENTARY ON THE "CIVIL WAR" CAME OUT. WE WERE STUNNED TO SEE THE BEAUTIFUL HANDWRITING OF MANY OF THE SOLDIERS IN THEIR LETTERS HOME. YES, THE WONDERFUL NUNS AND SISTERS MADE US WRITE OUT....O's, S's, AND MY HARDEST TO MASTER......D's.
GOD BLESS THEM FOR THEIR EFFORTS ON OUR BEHALF.
chuckles3 posted at 9:14 am on Tue, Jul 17, 2012.
Not learning how to read and do basic math and grammar is a little more career limiting. Let's cover those first.
Suelee posted at 4:41 am on Tue, Jul 17, 2012.
Not learning cursive will be extremely career limiting. Here is a partial list of occupations you will not be able to work in if you are not cursive literate:
1. Postal worker--until the last cursive writer dies you will not be able to read the addresses on letters and cards to deliver them.
2. Historian--most important historical documents are written in cursive.
3. Health care--nearly all medical records were recorded in cursive until the last couple of years.
4. Law enforcement--again most police reports and other documents were recorded in cursive.
I'll stop here because this list is really long. Why would schools want to limit students' possible occupational choices? Basically, if you cannot read cursive, you are not literate.