What is shorthand and how to learn it

Shorthand is a writing method based on short strokes, special symbols and abbreviations that allow you to write at higher speed than is usually achievable. 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 Grafein, “fast 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 note that during the Modern Age, England was the cradle of this technique, place from which it expanded to the rest of European countries. In the case of Spain, its founder – Francisco de Paula Martí Mora – developed one of the most accurate forms of shorthand in the world. So relevant was this method 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.

Shorthand was a very popular method in ancient times and until the 19th century. With the arrival of technology and devices that would allow recording conversations, their use – of course – became less common. However, there are still those who prefer to continue using this technique to cover speeches today.

The most common use of shorthand is to take note of 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 note letters, communiqués, or errands. Today, some journalists continue to use shorthand to take notes on their interviews or when they are covering political participation in real time.

If you have decided to learn shorthand, you should know that there are various 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 Pitman and 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 is based on the writing of the word instead of the sound. This system, implemented and taught in all journalism schools in England, does not provide the same speed as the previous ones, but it is easier to learn and memorize.

If you are wanting to learn a shorthand system, from UNCOMO we recommend that you follow the steps detailed below:

1. Know and choose the system of your preference: remember that the systems vary by style, writing speed and learning difficulty.
2. Find 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 basis of learning shorthand. From a HOWTO, we recommend that you purchase or prepare a shorthand dictionary to consult your doubts when you need it.
3. Prepare your notes: start by memorizing the letters, then the words, and finally the compound words. Making drawings or calligraphy of symbols and special characters will help you memorize them.
4. Practice out loud: repeating out loud everything you are writing will stimulate your brain and make you retain all the information.
5. Hold writing sessions: Every day, take 30 minutes of your time to practice shorthand. Each week try to increase the time so that you can test speed of the system.
6. 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 full speech.

The first tip every stenographer receives is that once the speech is finished, transcribe your notes as quickly as possible, as you can easily forget the meaning of all the symbols and therefore the notes taken.

Studying the types of shorthand systems before starting the learning process is very important to find the system that better suit you. As we have already said, the systems vary a lot from each other: from the symbols and the ways of abbreviating to the way of taking the notes.

One of the advantages that shorthand has compared to normal writing, in addition to the speed at which it allows taking notes, is that the writings are captured in the form of a key, that is, only the person who takes the notes can understand and really interpret the meaning of these symbols.

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