The Life of Letters

Endangered Alphabets and What Happens When You Write By Hand

August 11, 2026·50 min
Episode Description from the Publisher

In this episode, Laura is joined by Tim Brookes, founder of the Endangered Alphabets Project, for a fascinating conversation about the minority scripts around the world that are at risk of disappearing, and why it matters so much that we fight to save them. Tim shares the origins of his passion for carving and writing, how a personal hobby grew into a global activism effort and the profound cultural and spiritual significance of writing itself. They also explore the joy of writing by hand, the impact it has on personal expression and mental health, and the grassroots movements bringing endangered scripts back to life. A conversation that will make you look at every letter you write with fresh eyes. Endangered Alphabets - Official Website Atlas of Endangered Alphabets Tim Brookes on Twitter If you enjoyed this episode, we'd love for you to subscribe, leave a review, or share it - it really helps others discover the podcast - thank you! ☕️ To support the podcast with a small donation, buy us a coffee here. Connect with Laura on Instagram @thelifeofletterspodcast to continue the conversation, share your own lettering journey or suggest topics you'd love to hear about in future episodes. ✍️ To discover more about Laura's calligraphy workshops and more, visit lauralletterslife.com or say hi on Instagram @lauraletterslife. ✨ Download Laura's free Calming Calligraphy workbook. Chapters (00:03:01) - The Genesis of a Passion: Carving and Writing(00:05:57) - The Evolution of the Project: From Hobby to Activism(00:09:08) - Global Perspectives: Scripts and Their Stories(00:12:01) - Cultural Significance: The Spirituality of Writing(00:14:47) - Innovative Approaches: Games and Education(00:18:09) - Exploring Unique Scripts: Beyond Traditional Writing(00:20:51) - The Performance of Writing: A Multi-Dimensional Activity(00:24:12) - Cultural Identity and Endangered Scripts(00:29:11) - Grassroots Movements for Script Revival(00:30:04) - Exploring the Impact of Handwriting(00:39:15) - The Art of Writing by Hand(00:45:14) - The Joy of Handwriting and Personal Expression

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