Small Print and Texting

I was helping in some translation and couldn't tell what the symbol called for. It was so tiny so I called on my wife (who has trifocals). She took a glance and immediately went for a magnifying glass. We both then could tell what it was.

Small print has its advantages. It can hide important documentation that should be revealed but not necessarily read. It can get more words on a page which can be economically advantageous. Other than this, there are not too many other good reasons worth bothering with.

Still, we are plagued with tiny print: newspapers, magazines, scrolling on TV screens (especially smaller screens), in legal documentation and elsewhere. Can you imagine reading 1,000 pages in font 6 (like this) (like this in font size 13). Now, if grand kids live near by, they might be able to read New Times font 6 (if they can read) but don't ask grandpa (like me).

Now, the size of print also has companion fonts which have a name. In fact, there are zillions of 'em. Here is an example using a different font for each letter of the phrase "Type Style.". Ready? T y p e  S t y l e. (Because of the way the web works, this relies on the fonts loaded on your computer, so it can actually look a little different on different computers!)--Now in bold: T y p e  S t y l e.

Fortunately, most publications refrain from these specialty, exotic fonts which is fortunate for us but maybe not as pretty although legible. Print has two basic functions: to communicate, and to be legible. Maybe three: to be exotic or poetic.

Print also has another useful function. It usually is an improvement over cursive writing (penmanship which is a fading art or discipline). Remember those penmanship classes of days gone by? My own handwriting was never given an A, maybe a C- or a D+. Today it probably would get an F. But at least I can write although it is much easier to use a typewriter or computer. Or vocal chords. Or brain waves.

Then there is texting. Ever watch a youngster text? My oh my how those fingers fly. Just so they don't text while riding their bike or heaven forbid, while driving a car. Let 'em text riding their kiddie kart in the living room (maybe). Do I text? Naw. That's kid stuff. Now, if I could only find my pen.