Handwriting

Handwriting(ˈhan(d)ˌrīdiNG)

By 王渊源John

When I shared my “Letter(ˈledər) to Santa” last week, I had meant to type it up so that readers would have a clear transcript(ˈtran(t)skript) to follow along with, but I never got around to it. Many of you commented(ˈkämˌent) on my terrifying(ˈterəˌfī) handwriting, so I thought I would share two stories today…

First Story

When I first came to China we had afternoon electives(əˈlektiv) at school, and we could choose between Tai Qi and Chinese Calligraphy(kəˈligrəfē). I chose(CHo͞oz) calligraphy.

Now, I’m left-handed, which is kind of an excuse for my bad handwriting, although I know many left-handers who have beautiful handwriting. I took my calligraphy set and laid(lād) everything out on the table and started to follow along with the class.

The teacher walked around the class to observer our work, and when she got to me she said, “In Chinese Calligraphy we write with our right hand.” I told her that I was left-handed, and that I was sorry, but I was sure it would be okay.

She said, “Maybe you should take Tai Qi.”

Second Story

When I was a young child in the 1980s, my teachers noticed that I had poor handwriting, and they suggested that my parents take me to a “handwriting therapist(ˈTHerəpəst)” to see if they could help.

So my parents made an appointment with a physical therapist who specialized in handwriting. The physical therapist and a couple of assistants took me into a special room, watched me as I wrote, and gave me various(ˈve(ə)rēəs) pens and pencils with different grips(grip).

After an hour or so of testing, they conferred(kənˈfər) with each other, and then delivered(dəˈlivər) their verdict(ˈvərdikt) to my parents:

“Maybe you should get him a computer.”

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