《你多久沒有用手寫字了》

When did you last write a letter? Properly write one – by hand?

你上一次寫信是什么時候？完全用手寫。

In a digital world, where sending a text or email is far more convenient than using snail mail, is the writing on the wall for traditional pen and paper? Well, some people claim that writing still has many benefits, so maybe it's not time to ditch your ballpoint or fountain pen yet.

在數字世界里，發送文本或電子郵件遠比使用蝸牛般的郵寄信件方便得多，用傳統的筆和紙寫的內容掛在墻上嗎？當然，一部分人表示書寫確實有很多好處，所以也許現在還不是放棄圓珠筆或鋼筆的時候。

These days, when people request things in writing, a typed, electronic document will be accepted. Doing this on a computer means it could be saved, edited, duplicated and sent via email. But crafting a handwritten document is unique: It requires planning and thought, and, as well as practicing your handwriting, it helps you to remember spelling and punctuation.

現如今，當人們以書面形式提出要求時，是能接受打字的電子文檔的。在電腦上進行這些操作意味著書面內容是可以被保存、編輯、復制或通過電子郵件發送的。但是手寫的文字卻是獨一無二的：因為它需要計劃和構思，除了練習手寫之外，它還可以幫助您記住單詞的拼寫和標點符號的使用。

Some experts believe your brain benefits from using old-fashioned pen and paper. This is particularly relevant for students, where typing notes into a laptop is thought to lack the 'tactile feedback' to the brain that contact between pen and paper does. BBCWorklife website quotes Hetty Roessing from the University of Calgary, who says that "taking notes by hand involves cognitive engagement in summarizing, paraphrasing, organizing, concept and vocabulary mapping." Others agree that handwriting may boost fine motor skills in your hands and fingers.

一些專家也認為，使用傳統的筆和紙會使您的大腦受益。這一點對于學生來說尤為重要，因為在筆記本電腦中記錄或書寫筆記被認為缺乏對大腦的“觸覺反饋”，而筆和紙之間的接觸卻并非如此。BBC Worklife 網站引用了卡爾加里大學的 Hetty Roessing 的話，她說“以手寫來做筆記涉及在總結、釋義、組織、概念和詞匯映射方面的認知參與。” 其他贊同此觀點的人也表示，手寫會提高您的手和手指的精細運動技能。

There are everyday benefits to using pen and paper too.

Scribbling notes, shopping lists, or messages on the back of an envelope can still be useful, quick and portable. But putting pen to paper in a letter to a friend or loved one can probably have the most impact. Pen pal writer Katherine Moller told the BBC: "In a world where it is so easy to hop online to email or to send a fast text, it is so personal and so precious to know someone chose to turn off the virtual world to spend some time with you."

使用筆和紙也有日常的好處。

在信封背面涂鴉筆記、記錄購物清單內容或留言條等這些形式也有用，因為這樣更加高效且便于攜帶。但是，在寫給朋友或親人的信中用筆在紙書寫可能會產生最大的影響。Pen Pal作家凱瑟琳·莫勒 (Katherine Moller) 告訴 BBC：“在現如今一個可以便捷的發送郵件或發送網絡消息的世界里，有人選擇離開網絡（虛擬）世界來花費ta個人的寶貴時間和你一起交流是多么難得。”

So, while digital skills remain important, don't write off your pens and pencils yet – especially if your smartphone, tablet or laptop runs out of power!

因此，數字技能仍然很重要，但不要忘記你的鋼筆和鉛筆——尤其是在您的智能手機、平板電腦或筆記本電腦沒電的情況下！

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