Pitman Shorthand New Course New Era Edition

Pitman Shorthand New Course New Era Edition

Distinctive Features of Pitman Shorthand

• It is a phonetic system, meaning words are generally written as they are sounded, not according to ordinary longhand spelling.

• It was devised by Isaac Pitman after a study of the phonetic structure of the English language.

• Consonants are represented by simple strokes chosen for facile joining. Consonants are paired, with the light sound (unvoiced) represented by a light stroke and the corresponding heavy sound (voiced) by a heavier stroke.

• Speed and facility are achieved through a coherent and comprehensive scheme where each individual sound has its sign.

• Speed is attained by substantially eliminating vowel signs, though disjoined vowel signs are provided for insertion where needed.

• Position Writing is an effective device for indicating vowels, where a word is written above, on, or through the line according to its first vowel sound.

• Stenographic abbreviating material (circles, loops, hooks, halving, and doubling) is used for the representation of syllables, reducing the amount of actual writing to a minimum.

Shorthand Alphabet ComponentsThe Pitman Shorthand Alphabet consists of:

• Twenty-four Consonants

• Twelve Vowels

• Four Diphthongs (i, oi, ow, and u)

Key Abbreviating Devices Introduced

• S Circle (and Z): A small circle used at the beginning, middle, or end of a word.

• St and Str Loops: A small loop for st and a large final loop for ster.

• Ses Circle: A large final circle representing ses or sez.

• Sw Circle: A large initial circle representing sw.

• Halving: Halving a stroke indicates a following t or d.

• Double Consonants: Small initial hooks are used for the Pl series (pl, bl, etc.) and the Pr series (pr, br, etc.). Hooks are also used on curves for double consonants like fr, thr, and fl, vl.

• N and F/V Hooks: A small final hook on the inside of curves (or right motion on straight strokes) adds n; a small final hook with a left motion on straight strokes adds f or v.