Posted in Blog, Boost Your Brainpower, Create by Jo North
Let’s Dive into the World of Left-Handed Mirror Writing!
Hold Up! What’s Mirror Writing Again?
Okay, so you’re probably wondering – what on earth is mirror writing? Simply put, it’s about writing individual letters, words, or sentences in a way that they appear as a mirrored image – just like you’re seeing them in a mirror. It’s fascinating how it naturally pops up when left-handed children are in their early stages of learning. And let’s not forget the adults, some of whom, like Leonardo da Vinci (the ultimate mirror-writing guru), engage in this practice as a part of their daily routine.
From my personal observations, these mirror writers, including left-handed people, seem to rely a bit more on the right hemisphere of their brains. And that’s where the fun begins. This practice of left-handed writing could potentially work as a creative booster – a proposition that’s got neurologists like me buzzing with curiosity.
Another interesting finding from researchers at the University of Lorraine suggests that spontaneous mirror writing in typical 5- to 6-year-olds does not seem to be a function of preferred writing hand. Even more intriguing!
Let’s Get Nerdy: The Science-y Bit of Mirror Writing
The Neuroimaging Story Behind Left-Handed Writing
My fascination with mirror writing has led me to several different experiments and studies, diving into the mesmerizing world of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). They involve healthy individuals, and sometimes, stroke patients, helping us understand the role of our brain’s hemispheres in writing direction.
Recent research by scientists at the Max Planck Institute indicates that our brain works differently based on whether we’re right-handed or left-handed. For instance, while writing, the right-handed folks light up their left hemisphere, while left-handed individuals have their right hemisphere working during mirror writing. Super interesting!
When Brain Injury Brings About Directional Apraxia
As if mirror writing wasn’t intriguing enough, it gets even more fascinating when you see it in individuals with certain medical conditions or those who’ve suffered a brain injury. It’s as if their brains, in response to a head injury, start spontaneously writing in mirror script. There’s so much more to learn from these unusual case reports which further explain the function of hand use and writing orientation.
Mirror Writing Through Time: A Historical Overview
A Nostalgic Look at Mirror Writers in the 19th and 20th Century
Mirror writing isn’t a fad. Even back in the 19th century, famous names like Lewis Carroll were known for their left-handed writing and mirror scripts in personal notes. This trend continues in the 20th century and today, especially in western countries, it’s not uncommon to stumble upon left-handed writers creating mirror masterpieces.
The Twist of Western Scripts in Mirror Writing
Here’s the catch: the direction of writing in western scripts, especially our Latin script, typically goes from left to right. For mirror writing, the entire order flips, going from the right side to the left.
Applying Mirror Writing: It’s More Fun Than You Think!
Mirror Writing as My Secret Creative Weapon
Mirror writing, especially when done with the left hand, is not just a unique style, it’s my go-to exercise for sparking creativity. Now, when a right-handed person like me starts writing with their left hand (or vice versa), it’s like lighting a firework in the opposite hemisphere of their brain. The result? A potential surge in creative thinking and problem-solving skills – all thanks to this one-of-a-kind exercise.
Embarking on a Journey of Personal Exploration
The brilliant art therapist Lucia Cappachione PhD inspired me to try an experiment that changed my perspective on writing.
Here’s how it goes: I start by jotting down a question with my dominant hand, moving from the left side of the page to the right, the usual way.
Then, the plot twist comes in – I answer the question with my non-dominant hand, writing in the mirror form from the right-hand side of the page towards the left. The responses that come out of this exercise often take me by surprise and give me insights into hidden corners of my thoughts and feelings.
Let’s Peek Into The Future: Upcoming Studies on Mirror Writing
Universities & Future Research
Institutions around the world continue to foster studies on mirror writing, with the University of Edinburgh leading the way with their groundbreaking research in neuroscience. They are currently exploring the natural tendency of mirror writing in left-handed adults and right-handed children. From focusing on how we mirror whole words to understanding the perceptual confusions of single letters – it’s a journey full of surprises!
Medical Interest in Mirror Writing
Mirror writing isn’t just about fun and creativity, it’s also a hot topic in medical research, especially in the realm of diffuse cerebral disorders, stroke and patients suffering from directional apraxia, a condition where you struggle with the correct writing orientation. Studies in this area are uncovering new insights about how our brains work, and new ways found to help people experiencing these conditions.
Wrapping Up: Embrace the Adventure of Mirror Writing
Mirror writing is a fascinating activity – one that challenges our brain to adapt and learn in new, exciting ways. And while mirror letters and mirror script might seem like they’re written the ‘wrong way,’ they open up a fascinating path to alternative writing and self-exploration.
Whether you’re a right-handed person ready to explore your left-handed skills, or a left-handed individual keen on discovering the ‘right way,’ mirror writing can help to create an unconventional, brain-stimulating journey. And remember, the important thing isn’t just the end result, it’s the journey of learning and exploration that truly matters.
Happy mirror writing!
