Writing and Einstein

The Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities in Jerusalem is all excited. It is now showing Albert Einstein's document on relativity. The thing is -- this groundbreaking theory was handwritten -- all 46 pages.

Now Einstein certainly did not have access to a computer. But I wonder if any of our scientists today can legibly handwrite anything. Don't get me wrong. I love computers. But sometimes I think people start keyboarding a little too early in the writing process.

Good writing is all about good thinking. Jotting down a few points and organizing them on paper before you work with them on a computer really does short circuit the writing process. I pity people who don't understand this and have removed all paper from their desks.

Handwriting: a lost art

A few years ago, I met a woman who worked for the British Armed Forces. Her job is to listen to Morse code around the world. An outdated activity? Apparently, the thought is that if there is another major war, electronic communications could be blocked. Morse code would allow leaders to communicate with their troops and with other countries. So although many have no clue how to do it, morse code is still important.

What about handwriting? With computers and electronic devices is the art of penmanship vanishing? We are writing less and "blackberrying" more but shouldn't we at least try to be a little more legible? What will happen if for some reason we can't use an electronic means to record our thoughts?

Is penmanship still taught in schools? Should it be emphasized?

Immigrants and the English Language

I just heard a comedian on TV say, "Pity all those people who spend years learning English and then come to North America. They still don't understand us."

It's true. Many new immigrants have been taught a dated form of the British language, which doesn't always fit into our business world. In my experience, many immigrants have a better sense of progessive verbs. They can easily explain the differences between "I have received" and "I had received." However, North Americans don't really care. To keep things short, we just say "I received." There is nothing wrong with either phrasing. But it can be confusing.

I do pity any adult trying to learn English.