The Left Side of Things

This event will revolve around left-handedness.
We’ll take a look at language: the word left in many languages doesn’t exactly inspire trust. In English, “left-handed” can imply awkwardness or even dishonesty. The Latin sinistrum gave rise to “sinister.” German link similarly connotes something shady.
Where do these associations come from? And why do they persist?

We’ll explore common prejudices — negative and positive, subtle and absurd. Consider, for example, the German expression “das Herz auf dem rechten Fleck haben” (“to have one’s heart in the right place”).
On one hand (which one?), left-handers have been seen as clumsy or defiant. On the other, they’re sometimes described as creative or gifted. What are we to make of such claims?
We’ll also examine how these stereotypes are recycled in everyday discourse today.

And on a more concrete level: how do left-handers navigate a world designed by and for right-handers? Scissors, can openers, and spiral notebooks come to mind — but even something as unexpected as measuring cups can be a nuisance.
If you’re left-handed, how do you cope? If you’re right-handed, have you ever noticed?

As always, we are a multicultural group — so let’s compare notes. How is left-handedness treated where you come from? Are children corrected? Are there taboos?

Please note that this event will start and end half an hour later than usual.