Sir Isaac Pitman developed one of the more familiar systems for learning shorthand in 1837, called Pitman Shorthand. Stenography has been popular among stenographers, journalists, and secretaries. Pitman Shorthand is not just restricted to professionals. It can also be a good skill for students, note-takers, and those who want to practice writing fast. So, for anyone who wants to take notes or copy someone else’s speech without missing any detail or point, then pitman shorthand is best for him.
Pitman Shorthand is an excellent learning tool but can be complicated initially for beginners. But with the proper tutoring and guidelines that teach this style correctly with frequent practice, you will be on your way to mastering Pitman Shorthand in no time.
In this article, I will share the simple steps for learning Pitman Shorthand, with some tips and tricks to help you stay active. Let’s dive in!
Related article: How to Learn Shorthand Typing at Home for Beginners?
1. Understand the Basics of Pitman Shorthand
First, it is necessary to understand the basic concept of Pitman Shorthand. So, before starting your practice, try to understand the actual workings of the Pitman Shorthand.
Pitman Shorthand is based on the phonetic system. In this system, shorthand is based on the sounds of the words rather than their spellings. Strokes, dots, and dashes depict different sounds, and users can write much quicker than traditional longhand writing styles.
There are different Pitman Shorthand Key Components, such as:
Consonants: Consistently straight and curvy lines.
Vowels: Dots and dashes placed around strokes that represent their consonants
Thickening of Strokes: Certain sounds are Slow & the strokes are thickened
Letter Position: Strokes and Dots placements tell different vowels and meaning
This will make you feel comfortable during your initial stage of learning shorthand because this is the basis of all the principles.
Now, here is a primary consonant of pitman shorthand. It is the backbone of this system. Without learning and much practice, you will not continue further.
Consonants:
The sound that does not involve the throat and is produced by the tongue or lips is called a “Consonant.” For example, the sound in the word “Cat” includes the letters “K” and “T,” which are consonants.
- The letter “A” does not involve the throat; thus, it is not a consonant.
- There are 19 essential consonants in shorthand writing.
- Shorthand writing distinguishes consonants in terms of light and dark.
- Light strokes are thin lines, while dark strokes are thicker lines.
- Each consonant is written with a specific stroke.
- There are a total of 24 strokes in shorthand writing.
- Consonants are divided into categories based on their characteristics.
Vowels
When a sound is produced, a slight pause occurs in the movement of the tongue and lips, which creates a specific tone and fulfils the purpose of the vowel sound.
According to the Pitman Shorthand system, there are 12 sounds which represent the various forms of vowels in a language, whether in English or any other language. Six sounds are called Long Vowels, and the remaining 6 are called Short Vowels. Below, we will read about the method of recognizing.
Long Vowels
Pa | May | We | All | Go | Too
These are Long Vowels: آ, ای, ای, ا, او, او (Aa, E, Ee, A, O, Oo).
Use dots (.) in the first position for Pa, May, and We. For All, Go, Too, use dashes (-**) in the first position.
Long Vowels are represented with dots or dashes, which are positioned as follows:
- First position
- Second position
- Third position
If a vowel is in the first position, the dot or dash is placed above the line (Aboveline). For example: Dark, Mark, Chalk, Thaw, Farm.
For words in the second position, dots or dashes are placed on the line (Online). Examples include Fade, Late, Load, and Boot.
For words in the third position, dots or dashes are placed below the line (Belowline). Examples include Sheet, Meal, Loop, Deep, Feed.
If a vowel is in the first place, the downward or horizontal stroke is placed above the line (Aboveline).
If a vowel is in the second place, the stroke is placed on the line (Online).
If a vowel is in the third place, the stroke is placed below the line (Belowline).
Examples:
- Boat, Bout, Feed (Online)
- Beat, Boot (Belowline)
Examples of various strokes and placements:
- Cake, Fake, Lake – placed on the line.
- Meet, Keep, Meek – examples showing different placements of vowels in shorthand.
Note:
In shorthand, words such as Pa, Palm, Dark, and Farm are written using combinations of dots and dashes for Long Vowels.
Short Vowels
The following are called Short Vowels:
That | Pen | Is | Not | Much | Good
These represent the sounds a, e, i, o, u/o.
For words like That, Pen, Is, Not, Much, and Good, Short Vowels are represented by dots (.) and dashes (-) placed in specific positions.
The positioning of these dots and dashes indicates Short Vowels in shorthand, just as Long Vowels are noted in a specific manner.
Below are examples of how to apply short Vows in shorthand notation.
| Word | Shorthand Example |
|---|---|
| That | Lad |
| Pen | Bet |
| Is | Hit |
| Not | Hot |
| Much | Touch |
| Good | Hook |
| Word | Shorthand Example |
| ——- | ——————– |
| Chat | Mat |
| Men | Fed |
| Ship | Pill |
| Shop | Rock |
| Dutch | Lunch |
| Look | Bush |
This table demonstrates the symbols used in shorthand for the Short Vowels.
Strokes
Downward Strokes
“P” is represented by a downward. Another downward stroke is “B,” “T,” “D,” “Chay,” and other strokes.
Horizontal Strokes
“K” is represented horizontally, and other horizontal strokes are “Gay,” “M,” “N,” etc.
Curve strokes.
“F” represents curve strokes; other curves are V, ith, thee, S, Z, Ish Zhee, L, R, etc.
Upward Strokes.
Ray “/” represents upward strokes and other upward strokes are: “Way”, “Yay”, “Hay”, “Hay”, etc.
2. Get a Pitman Shorthand Guidebook
A Pitman Shorthand book is the most helpful tool for you. In the book, they describe the complete pitman shorthand system from basic to advanced, with explanations of advanced techniques and examples. Some of the well-known Pitman shorthand books are,
- Pitman’s New Era Shorthand by Sir Isaac Pitman
- Pitman’s Shorthand Teacher and Key
3. Use Shorthand Learning Apps
Nowadays, multiple apps are available to help you learn Pitman Shorthand more comfortably. They usually feature video tutorials, interactive exercises, and practice tests. Here are a few shorthand software apps worth checking out:
Shorthandly: Provides tutorials, practice exercises, and quizzes to learn shorthand.
SkillShare: Provides shorthand courses for beginners to advanced students.
Udemy — Offers shorthand courses for both Pitman and other systems.
Some apps compensate for your guidebook and writing practice, allowing you to do it anywhere.
4. Practice Writing Basic Strokes and Shapes
The first step in learning Pitman Shorthand is getting comfortable with the basic strokes. Start by practising the symbols for common consonants and vowels as I have described above, such as:
- Straight Lines: Represent sounds like “p,” “b,” “t,” and “d.”
- Curves: Represent sounds like “k,” “g,” “m,” and “n.”
Exercise:
Take a notebook and divide a page into sections. In each section, practice a specific symbol until you feel confident. Try writing “p” and “b” repeatedly in one section, “t” and “d” in another, and so on. The goal is to build muscle memory so these shapes come naturally as you advance.
5. Learn the Vowel Signs and Positions
Dots and dashes around consonant strokes represent vowels in Pitman Shorthand. Understanding vowel placement is essential since the position of the vowel symbol determines the sound and can change the meaning of a word.
For example:
- A dot near the top of the consonant stroke can represent the sound “ee” as in “see.”
- A dash near the middle might represent “ah”, as in “car.”
Exercise:
Choose a few consonants, like “p” and “t,” and add different vowel positions to see how they change the sounds. Write these combinations repeatedly, focusing on consistently placing the dots and dashes.
Here are some words to try with “p” and “t” and different vowel positions:
- Pea
- Tea
- Pay
- Take
- Pa (like “paw”)
- Tar
- Pie
- Tie
- Poe (as in “Edgar Allan Poe”)
- Toe
- Poo
- Too
Practice these combinations, placing dots and dashes carefully to see how each vowel sound alters the word.
6. Start with Simple Words and Phrases
Once you feel confident with the basic strokes and vowel positions, begin practising simple words and phrases. Start with common, short words like:
- “Cat”: Practice the “k” and “t” sounds, and add the vowel sound between them.
- “Dog”: Practice the “d” and “g” sounds with the appropriate vowel placement.
As you improve, try phrases like “Good morning,” “Thank you,” and “See you later.” Practising short phrases allows you to learn how to connect strokes, a crucial part of shorthand.
7. Join a Shorthand Practice Group or Online Community
Learning it with other people will motivate you and provide plenty of support. Look for online communities where fellow shorthand lovers swap tricks, write together, or critique each other.
If you’re using social media platforms like Facebook or Reddit, you might want to consider joining a writing community. There, you’ll meet everyone from beginners to professionals.
The feedback you receive on your writing and advice on improving your speed when needed is often constructive. Additionally, the tips on better techniques are usually practical and reliable.
8. Set Aside Dedicated Practice Time Daily
Consistent practice is essential in mastering Pitman Shorthand. Even just 15-20 minutes a day can make a difference. Set aside time each day to review the strokes you’ve learned, add new ones, and practice writing simple words and phrases.
Sample Practice Schedule:
- Day 1-2: Practice consonant strokes.
- Day 3-4: Add basic vowel symbols.
- Day 5-6: Write simple words with vowels.
- Day 7: Write phrases and short sentences.
Following a regular practice schedule ensures you’ll see progress and continue building on your learning.
9. Practice Transcribing Speech
A key aspect of shorthand is the ability to write quickly as someone speaks. Start using recorded speeches or conversations, and practice jotting down critical phrases in shorthand. Begin with slower recordings and gradually increase the speed as you improve.
This exercise enhances your speed and comprehension, preparing you for real-time shorthand.
Practical Tip:
Use speeches, podcasts, or news segments for practice. Aim to capture the main points rather than every single word, as shorthand is designed to capture ideas quickly and concisely.
10. Use Pitman Shorthand Flashcards for Reinforcement
You can use Flashcards to memorize symbols and strokes. Write flashcards about common consonants, vowels, and phrases and continually review them. It solidifies the memory of each symbol and helps you prepare to write them quickly.
You can make real flashcards or use a flashcard app (like Anki or Quizlet) to keep everything organized and easy to carry around.
11. Record Your Progress and Speed
Record the improvement of your typing speed and accuracy. Set a timer for how long you write simple sentences in shorthand. Strive for continuous improvement, and not perfection right away.
Start small—try to improve your time for transcribing a single sentence by a couple of seconds every week. Tracking progress will help you stay motivated.
12. Analyze Your Practice
As you continue practising, regularly review your work to identify areas for improvement. Look for common mistakes, such as inconsistent stroke thickness or incorrect vowel placements, and work on them.
Tips for Reflection:
- Compare your work to examples from a guidebook to ensure accuracy.
- Ask for feedback if you’re part of a shorthand community.
- Keep a journal where you note your progress, challenges, and what you want to focus on next.
Conclusion:
Learning Pitman Shorthand is a practical, rewarding skill that requires dedication, practice, and patience. By following these steps and setting aside time for daily practice, you’ll be on your way to capturing information faster than ever.
Remember, the key to mastering shorthand is consistency. With daily practice and a gradual approach, you’ll see improvement in speed and accuracy. Before long, you can take notes efficiently in shorthand, whether in meetings, lectures, or personal journaling.
So, what are you waiting for? Get your guidebook, set up a daily routine, and start practising Pitman Shorthand today.
