That's really intyeresting about the papers (in detail they are probably more interesting to you than to others, but as an historical record they are probably priceless).
About the specific letter: I actually blame the 'formal' letter-writing conventions. I have never liked the construct "Dear X" (and closing 'sincerely' etc.) on formal letters, feeling that it devalued the use of the words to the status of a meaningless formality (sorry, my bank manager has never been particularly dear to me, and his 'sincerity' when denying me a loan is somewhat suspect).
But, as usual, I think that people are or can be just as affectionate in their letters in a different way or using different words. Much like the language of the King James Bible, the 'flowery' language used in previous generations (which, like the KJB, was simply normal to them) has become imbued with more emotion than perhaps it had at the time. I can imagine someone in a few hundred years unearthing a letter from me to a shop and wondering at the depth of feeling because I addressed it "Dear Mr. Smith"...
These days (and for at least the last 50 or so years) I suspect that the affection is often more shown in things like common references. 'Pet' names (and variations of names), for instance, and manner of writing. For some that can be use of things like LOLCat which they use between themselves but not outside (and many outsiders wouldn't even know that this was used as an 'injoke'), or unusual terms for things. Or even simply by things not said (refraining from swearing, for instance).
Of course, there is indeed the chilling effect of knowing that anything one writes and sends using electronic means may be exposed, which may inhibit some people's emotional output. Not having access to a significant sample of modern handwritten letters between people in love, I don't know, but I suspect that those who do still use that form may be rather more open than in electronic mail. (Of course, those who use mobile phones for mail probably just attach a nude picture of themselves, taken at the time of sending. Or so I'm led to believe by stories in the media, my phone doesn't either take or display pictures...)
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branchandroot
no subject
Date: 2011-01-26 03:21 pm (UTC)About the specific letter: I actually blame the 'formal' letter-writing conventions. I have never liked the construct "Dear X" (and closing 'sincerely' etc.) on formal letters, feeling that it devalued the use of the words to the status of a meaningless formality (sorry, my bank manager has never been particularly dear to me, and his 'sincerity' when denying me a loan is somewhat suspect).
But, as usual, I think that people are or can be just as affectionate in their letters in a different way or using different words. Much like the language of the King James Bible, the 'flowery' language used in previous generations (which, like the KJB, was simply normal to them) has become imbued with more emotion than perhaps it had at the time. I can imagine someone in a few hundred years unearthing a letter from me to a shop and wondering at the depth of feeling because I addressed it "Dear Mr. Smith"...
These days (and for at least the last 50 or so years) I suspect that the affection is often more shown in things like common references. 'Pet' names (and variations of names), for instance, and manner of writing. For some that can be use of things like LOLCat which they use between themselves but not outside (and many outsiders wouldn't even know that this was used as an 'injoke'), or unusual terms for things. Or even simply by things not said (refraining from swearing, for instance).
Of course, there is indeed the chilling effect of knowing that anything one writes and sends using electronic means may be exposed, which may inhibit some people's emotional output. Not having access to a significant sample of modern handwritten letters between people in love, I don't know, but I suspect that those who do still use that form may be rather more open than in electronic mail. (Of course, those who use mobile phones for mail probably just attach a nude picture of themselves, taken at the time of sending. Or so I'm led to believe by stories in the media, my phone doesn't either take or display pictures...)