The Speedwords Shorthand System: A Brief Overview

Shorthand has always been a valuable tool for journalists, stenographers, and anyone who needs to take notes quickly and efficiently. However, not all shorthand systems are created equal.

One shorthand system that has gained some attention over the years is the Speedwords shorthand system. Developed by Reginald J. G. Dutton, this system is unique in that it uses shortened versions of familiar words to help the writer jot down notes more quickly.

So, what exactly are Speedwords, and how do they work?

Understanding the Basics of Speedwords

At its core, the Speedwords shorthand system is all about simplifying words. According to Dutton, the idea behind Speedwords is to create a shorthand language that can be learned quickly and easily, with minimal training.

How does it work? Essentially, Speedwords takes common words and assigns them a shorter, more phonetic version. For example, the word “but” becomes “b”, “you” becomes “v”, and “because” becomes “zi”.

These shortened words are then used to write down notes more quickly. Instead of writing out a full sentence, a Speedwords writer can jot down a series of shorthand words and still convey the same meaning.

Of course, this system isn’t perfect. Some words are harder to shorten than others, and there are inevitably going to be situations where a Speedwords shorthand term might be misunderstood. However, for many people, the benefits of taking notes quickly and efficiently outweigh these drawbacks.

Implementing Speedwords in Your Shorthand Lexicon

If you’re interested in trying out the Speedwords shorthand system for yourself, there are plenty of resources available to help you get started.

One great resource is Jonathan Aquino’s Cheatsheet for Speedwords shorthand system. This cheat sheet provides a list of common Speedwords terms, along with their full word equivalents and pronunciation.

There’s also an overview of the Speedwords system available at this link: http://www2.cmp.uea.ac.uk/%7Ejrk/conlang.dir/Speedwords.overview. This overview provides a brief history of Speedwords, as well as a complete list of Speedwords terms and their corresponding full word equivalents.

Of course, like any other shorthand system, learning Speedwords will take some practice. However, with a little bit of dedication, you can quickly become proficient in this system, and start taking notes faster and more efficiently than ever before.

Is Speedwords Right for You?

So, should you consider implementing the Speedwords shorthand system in your own shorthand lexicon? Ultimately, that decision will depend on your own personal preferences and needs.

If you’re someone who already uses shorthand regularly and is looking for ways to take notes more quickly, Speedwords could be a great option. Its system of shortened words makes it easy to write down a lot of information in a short amount of time, and the ease of learning and using the system is a definite plus.

On the other hand, if you’re just getting started with shorthand, you might want to focus on more traditional systems first. Speedwords can be a bit tricky to master, and it might be easier to start with a simpler system before working your way up.

Overall, the Speedwords shorthand system is an interesting and unique take on traditional shorthand. While it might not be for everyone, it’s undoubtedly a useful tool for those who need to take notes quickly and efficiently, and it’s worth considering if you’re looking for ways to streamline your shorthand writing.