Eumundi Voice Issue 123

ON THIS DAY

Left-handers Day

International Left-handers Day is on 13 August and recognises the uniqueness and differences of left-handed people. Often maligned in days gone by, left-handers are no longer forced to use their right-hand. Around 10% of the world’s population is left-handed and that figure holds true in Australia. It was initially thought that a single gene controlled handedness, but more recent studies suggest that multiple genes, perhaps up to 40, contribute to the trait. In certain societies, left-handers may be considered unlucky or even malicious by the right-handed majority. Many languages still contain references to left-handedness to convey awkwardness, dishonesty, stupidity, or other undesirable qualities. Some people believe the devil is left-handed. The Latin word for left –sinister – also means unlucky, evil and suspicious. The French word for left – gauche – also means clumsy. A left-handed compliment is an insult.

Nowadays, being left-handed can be considered an advantage. In sports where 2 people face one another, such as tennis, fencing or baseball, lefthanders may be in a better position than 2 righthanded opponents. The world is still dominated by right-handedness and routine tasks remind left-handed people of that on a daily basis. Using scissors, cutting bread – inevitably on an angle – sitting next to a right-handed person for a meal at a rectangular table, or writing in a spiral notebook, can be irksome for left-handers. Fortunately, in 1990 a Left-handers Club was formed and operates internationally to help get more left-handed products on the market, including for school children.

Famous left-handers include Nicole Kidman, Keanu Reeves, Leonardo da Vinci, Napoleon Bonaparte and Paul McCartney. Rhonda Piggott