Bronwen had a lot of interesting comments about LH adaptability /plasticity and there have been many experience that chime with mine, but here is my tuppence worth.
My mother was left-handed but was taught a number of skills in school (1940-50s) to use her right hand including ironing and knitting; she taught me to knit so I knit right-handed - I think - stitches go from needle in left hand and right finger wraps the wool. She also crocheted but I cannot remember how, and I have forgotten my lessons. However we sew LHd. Bobbin lace, I learnt at first from books so wind bobbins and hitch RH, but I use my left to make the stitches and move the bobbins (mostly) and usually right to put in the pin unless it is a LH picot. I was very LH dominant as a child but have become much more ambidextrous, my DH was the same but RH. I am of the age when it was accepted but not as prevalent as now so there were far fewer LH tools (oh that dratted potato peeler and scissors upside down). We attributed our increased plasticity with using complex scientific instruments that required two hands to operate like electron microscopes, and the onset of the keyboard age. Incidentally we both preferentially use the mouse in our nondominant hand, I find it easier to take notes that way and a lot of the keyboard shortcuts are on the left as well ctl-c,v so it is much more efficient. Actually I have two mice one for each hand as the fancy takes me. I think I am fairly good at mirroring, and can read stuff upside down albeit slowly. Just as I write this I remember that my father's mother (WW1) as also LH but "taught" ie forced to write RH. She had beautiful copperplate writing as it never came naturally to her but like Da Vinci could write mirrored with her LH. I have never tried. Alex wrote >>I have taught myself to crochet and tat right handed and can teach them >>successfully to right handers. When I teach a left-hander I feel confused >>about what to say regarding the words left and right and end up just working >>slowly saying 'do this' It works but it would be better if I could add the >>commentary.<< When I go to the US and switch driving sides I seem to invert everything and am a liability as a navigator "Go Right" I cry, "No *that* Right!" waving my left hand in the driver's view. Would I invert N&S it I went to Australia? Louise In sunny, hot Cambridge, wishing she was at Trent Bridge. - To unsubscribe send email to [email protected] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [email protected]. For help, write to [email protected]. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
