Handschrift

Handschrift, or handwriting, is the act and result of writing by hand. It refers to the distinctive manner in which an individual forms letters and words, including letter shapes, spacing, slant, stroke order, pressure, and rhythm. A handwriting sample serves as both a record of communication and a potential personal signature.

Historically, handwriting evolved from regional writing practices. Across the Latin alphabet, scripts such as rustic capitals, uncials, Carolingian minuscule, Gothic textura, and English secretary hand illustrate shifts in form and speed. In many cultures, calligraphy developed as an art form alongside practical handwriting, with specialized styles for official documents and religious manuscripts. Paleography is the scholarly study of historical handwriting to date, authenticate, and interpret manuscripts.

Today handwriting education varies by country; many education systems emphasize legibility and penmanship, while the use of cursive has declined in some regions in favor of print. In forensics, handwriting examination analyzes features—letter formation, slant, pressure, and writing habits—to verify authorship and detect forgeries. This field is distinct from graphology, which attempts to infer personality traits and is not considered a reliable basis for official conclusions.

Digital technology captures handwriting electronically through devices with styluses, and handwriting recognition software attempts to convert it to machine-printed text. Preservation of handwritten material depends on media (parchment, paper) and conservation conditions to prevent fading or deterioration.