Russian handwriting in US classrooms in the computer age

[sarah hurst]

Thanks for the clarification, Michael. I would have thought that cursive was
about writing fluently and easily rather than just for appearances' sake,
but perhaps it's possible to write quickly letter by letter too.

Sarah

-----Original Message-----
From: SEELANGS: Slavic & East European Languages and Literatures list
[mailto:SEELANGS at bama.ua.edu] On Behalf Of Michael Denner
Sent: Thursday, September 09, 2010 3:06 PM
To: SEELANGS at bama.ua.edu
Subject: Re: [SEELANGS] Russian handwriting in US classrooms in the computer
age

Sarah,
My students write Russian just fine. It's just not cursive. They write like
children, and the Russians probably smirk at them. Who cares? No one's
suggesting returning to a pre-literate era. It's just a bloody waste of time
to spend a week, a day, an hour on a totally unnecessary skill: Pretty
handwriting. 

~mad

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
   Dr. Michael A. Denner
   Associate Professor of Russian Studies
   Editor, Tolstoy Studies Journal
   Director, Russian Studies Program
   Director, University Honors Program

   
   Contact Information:
      Russian Studies Program
      Stetson University
      Campus Box 8361
      DeLand, FL 32720-3756
      386.822.7381 (department)
      386.822.7265 (direct line)
      386.822.7380 (fax)

      google talk michaeladenner
      www.stetson.edu/~mdenner

-----Original Message-----
From: SEELANGS: Slavic & East European Languages and Literatures list
[mailto:SEELANGS at bama.ua.edu] On Behalf Of sarah hurst
Sent: Thursday, September 09, 2010 6:56 PM
To: SEELANGS at bama.ua.edu
Subject: Re: [SEELANGS] Russian handwriting in US classrooms in the computer
age

I have to say that I am rather disturbed by the idea that today's students
no longer even need to learn Russian handwriting. Are we raising kids who
are going to be completely at a loss if they should ever find themselves
without access to a computer, cell phone or other digital device? Is such a
scenario really so implausible, especially in Russian-speaking countries
where limited internet access and power outages have been known?

It doesn't even take very long to learn handwriting but I do think it's an
essential skill for both reading and writing. What if they happen to work
with historical documents? What if a room-mate leaves them an important
note? 

I hope this skill will continue to be taught. Would you similarly
contemplate not bothering to teach English-speaking kids not to write their
own language by hand? 

Sarah Hurst

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