The first examples of shorthand in history emerged in ancient cultures such as the Greek, Roman, and Egyptian. By then, the inhabitants of these cultures needed a methodology that would allow them to write as fast as their interlocutors spoke, not only to learn but also to record certain situations. The result was a list of symbols, signs, and abbreviations that facilitated taking notes and were capable of translating an entire speech.
If you are interested in knowing what shorthand is and how to learn it, don’t miss the following OneHOWTO article. We put at your disposal the necessary knowledge and tools so that you can train as a stenographer and discover this curious and interesting world.
what is shorthand
Shorthand is a writing method based on short strokes, special symbols, and abbreviations that allow you to write faster than is usually possible. In this way, shorthand is a system that helps to take note of a complete speech at the same speed as the person interpreting it.
Also called Stenography, its name comes from the Greek words Taquis and Graffin, “quick and write”. This technique has several adaptations, so it is very difficult for the same stenographer to be able to transcribe the material written by another specialist.
As we have already said, the origin of this system is found in various ancient cultures. However, it is important to keep in mind that during the Modern Age, England was the cradle of this technique, from where it spread to other European countries. In the case of Spain, its founder −Francisco de Paula Martí Mora− developed one of the most precise forms of shorthand in the world. This method was so relevant that it soon became one of the most universal forms of this system and even constituted the Royal School of Shorthand, a center that Francisco de Paula Martí Mora himself presided over for 25 years.
What is shorthand used for?
Shorthand was a very popular method in ancient times and until the 19th century. With the arrival of technology and devices that would allow conversations to be recorded, its use, as is logical, became less common. However, there are still today those who prefer to continue using this technique to cover speeches.
The most common use of shorthand is for taking notes on a speech, especially if it needs to be as accurate as possible to the original. Shorthand is also very common in trials, although over time the so-called stenotype became popular, a similar technique but in which a kind of typewriter is used.
During the 1950s and 1960s, shorthand was popular with assistants to take notes on letters, communications, or errands. Today, some journalists still use shorthand to take notes on their interviews or when they do real-time coverage of political participation.
Gregg, Pitman, and Teeline shorthand
If you have decided to learn shorthand, you should know that there are several adaptations or systems of this methodology. In total there are about 6 shorthand systems and each of them has variants that in some cases can facilitate the learning process.
The most studied systems are the Pitman and the Gregg, two methods that have been adapted to all languages and that allow writing more than 200 words per minute. Both systems are based on the sound of the words but differ from each other by the shape of the stroke, the thickness, and the inclination of the symbols.
Another widely used system is the Teeline; a shorthand specially developed for journalists that are based on the writing of the word instead of the sound. This system, implemented and taught in all journalism schools in England, does not offer the same speed as the previous ones, but it is easier to learn and memorize.
How to learn shorthand
If you want to learn a shorthand system, at OneHOWTO we recommend that you follow the steps that we detail below:
- Get to know and choose the system of your choice: remember that systems vary by style, writing speed, and learning difficulty.
- Look for the necessary material to learn shorthand: on the Internet, you can find a large number of tutorials and step-by-step videos that will teach you the basics of learning shorthand. From oneHOWTO, we recommend that you acquire or prepare a shorthand dictionary to consult your doubts when you need it.
- Prepare your notes: start by memorizing the letters, then the words, and finally the compound words. Making plans or calligraphy of the symbols and special characters will help you memorize them.
- Practice out loud: repeating everything you are writing out loud will stimulate your brain and make you retain all the information.
- Hold writing sessions: Every day, take 30 minutes of your time to practice shorthand. Each week try to increase the time so you can test the speed of the system.
- Take practice dictations: when you think you have mastered the list of symbols and characters, start doing short dictations until you are able to follow a complete speech.
Useful tips on this method
The first piece of advice that every stenographer receives is that once the speech is over, transcribe your notes as quickly as possible, as you can easily forget the meaning of all the symbols and therefore the notes were taken.
Studying the types of shorthand systems before starting the learning process is very important to find the system that best suits you. As we have already said, the systems vary a lot from each other: from the symbols and the abbreviations to the way of taking notes.
One of the advantages that shorthand has over normal writing, in addition to the speed at which it allows for taking notes, is that the writings are captured in the form of a code, that is, only the person who takes the notes can understand and really interpret the meaning of these symbols.
If this information has been useful to you and you want to know more about similar topics, we recommend the following articles:
- How to properly write a report
- What is the structure of an essay
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