Kurrent alphabet
A compact reference to Kurrent letter forms for reading historical texts.
Kurrent alphabet
Download
For students and educators
Learn Kurrent for your work with historical sources.
You have the source in front of you, but the handwriting makes it difficult to begin. Spitzfeder offers guided practice in reading and writing Kurrent, the historical German script – as preparation for source work and a supplement to teaching.
Before you interpret a passage, you need to recognise its words
A handwritten document may be central to an essay, an archive exercise or a seminar. An existing transcription can help. Learning the letter forms lets you engage with the original as well and examine how a reading was reached.
Spitzfeder starts with letters and connects them to reading and historical-source exercises. You practise one part of working with sources: becoming familiar with the handwriting.
Build a foundation for close reading
- Match: Compare Kurrent letters with their Latin equivalents.
- Trace and write: Explore how the strokes form each letter.
- Read: Practise recognising words.
- Work with sources: Apply your script knowledge in historical-source exercises.
These activities form part of a guided path with 12 lessons and 181 stations. Practise on your own phone or tablet, or add handwriting practice on paper.
For students: prepare before facing a dense manuscript
If Kurrent is new to you, an entire archive page does not have to be your first exercise. Start with individual forms, then practise recognising them in words.
Use the app before or alongside your source reading, comparing the forms you have practised with the letters in your document.
For educators: supplementary practice between seminars
You can recommend Spitzfeder as an additional practice resource. One possible sequence is to prepare letter forms individually, work through a short source extract in class, then discuss alternative readings together.
This brings individual handwriting practice into the shared examination of a source in class.
Free materials
An alphabet and practice paper to get started
The alphabet offers a compact reference for reading sources, and the lined paper supports individual or seminar-based handwriting practice.
Lined paper
Generously spaced lines give handwriting practice a clear, comfortable structure.
Lined paper
Download
The workbook with the app exercises is included free with your purchase of Spitzfeder.
Good to know
Questions before you start
Is this suitable for history, German studies or archival studies?
Where German Kurrent manuscripts are part of the work, the exercises can offer introductory or supplementary practice. Educators should assess the fit with their particular sources and learning objectives.
Do I need to understand German?
The interface and learning introductions are available in English. Exercise words, historical reading texts and audio remain in German. To understand what you read, you will need appropriate German-language knowledge or vocabulary support. No previous Kurrent knowledge is required.
Do I need a tablet and stylus?
Spitzfeder is available for iPhone, iPad and Android phones and tablets. Finger mode and workbook mode allow practice without a digital stylus. Pressure-sensitive writing requires a supported tablet and compatible active stylus.
Where do I get the app and workbook?
Spitzfeder is available in the App Store and Google Play. The workbook is included in the purchased app. The alphabet and practice paper are free downloads.
Start with a first exercise
Prepare for your next encounter with a manuscript
Start with the letter forms and add active reading and writing practice to your work with historical sources.