Left-handedness: A Writing Handicap?

Abstract

Left-handedness is often seen as a disadvantage when it comes to writing, and left-handers are often seen as 'problem' writers. However, the difficulties many left-handers face do not stem from their left-handedness, but from the left-to-right writing movement of the Western writing culture. This article investigates left-handed writing technique and tries to determine, through both research and direct observation, the extent to which the theory regarding left-handed writing technique corresponds to the techniques used in practice. In the observational study, participants were asked to copy out a series of simple sentences while photographs were taken to document their writing technique. The results are then discussed in the context of handwriting manuals and specific left-handed writing guides. The fundamental aspects of writing technique – such as penhold, pengrip and paper position – are all dealt with in turn, together with the effect of the resulting written trace. It is concluded that, despite the range of literature available on left-handed writing, a 'right' and 'wrong' attitude still tends to prevail, which is in contrast to the variety of writing techniques seen in this investigation. Left-handedness is not a writing handicap, and it through more liberal and tolerant attitudes that this notion will be eradicated.