shorthand

Shorthand is a method of rapid writing that uses symbols, abbreviations, and outlines to represent spoken language. It is designed to allow someone to record speech much faster than longhand writing by mapping sounds to concise symbols rather than spelling out every word.

Historically, shorthand has roots in early recording systems such as Tironian notes and other methods, but in modern times two dominant traditions emerged in the 19th and 20th centuries: Pitman shorthand, developed by Sir Isaac Pitman in 1837, and Gregg shorthand, devised by John Robert Gregg in 1888. A later development, Teeline shorthand, created by James Teeline in the 1960s, adapts to contemporary English.

Pitman uses a system of strokes with varying thickness to indicate consonants and vowels, often with ligatures and shading; Gregg emphasizes more natural curves and outlines that resemble cursive handwriting, with less reliance on line thickness to separate sounds; Teeline reduces the alphabet to simplified letters and strokes to enable easier learning for longhand writers.

Shorthand is used in court reporting, journalism, business, and personal note-taking where speed is essential. In modern practice, stenography with computer-based stenotype machines is common for official transcription; learning shorthand remains valued for manual notes or privacy, but its everyday use has declined as audio recording and transcription software have become widespread.

Limitations include the need for substantial practice, system-specific conventions, and the fact that most systems require ongoing revision to stay current with language usage. Nevertheless, shorthand remains a historical and practical method for rapid transcription and can be taught as part of stenographic training or used informally for fast note-taking.