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SHORTHAND I (ENGLISH)

1. THE CONSONANTS & VOWELS

Shorthand writing is faster than long hand writing in English. A person who is familiar with this skill can get job in different offices. The students who know English language can practice the script and develop the skill of English shorthand writing.

1.0 Objectives

After studying this lesson you will know –

1) the meaning and definition of shorthand;

2) origin of stenography and different styles of shorthand;

3) types of strokes representing consonants;

4) classification and types of consonant strokes;

5) denotation of consonants by different strokes;

6) joining of consonant strokes;

7) positioning of consonant strokes;

8) types of vowels; and

9) concept of positioning of vowels.

1.1 Introduction

The script of English language has consonants and vowels. Similarly, English shorthand also has consonants and vowels. To write this phonetic script in English shorthand a number of symbols, its writing styles and its position are developed. In this lesson detailed description about the shorthand consonants, vowels, their joining and their positioning are given.

1.2 Consonants

According to Professor Sweet, “Consonants are the result of audible friction or stopping of the breath in some part of the mouth or throat”. Consonant is a term derived from two Latin words, CON, meaning together and SONANS means sounding. In simple terms, a consonant is defined as a sound which cannot be produced clearly without the aid of a vowel. The shorthand sign made for a consonant is called a character or a stroke.

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1.2.1 Types of Strokes Representing Consonants

To represent the consonants in shorthand there are mainly two types of strokes, a straight line and a shallow curve, written in six different ways:

(i) Straight downward stroke

(ii) Straight Upward stroke

(iii) Horizontal Stroke

(iv) Curved downward stroke

(v) Curved Upward Stroke

(vi) Inclined Straight Line with hooks & circles

In Figure 1 straight line number 1 is at 1200, line 2 at 900, line 3 at 600 and line 4 at 300 to the horizontal line. Strokes at 1200, 900 and 600 are downward strokes, which are always drawn from top to bottom. Stroke at 300, represented by line 4, is an upward stroke and is always drawn from bottom to top. Stroke at 1800, represented by line no. 5, is a horizontal stroke and always made from left to right. These lines can be thin or thick as shown below.

FIGURE 1

In the Figure 2, the circle is divided into four sections represented by 4 curves viz. curve no. 1, 2, 3 and 4. Curve no. 1 is always drawn downward in clockwise direction, curve no. 2 can be drawn either way, i.e. clockwise or anticlockwise, curve no. 3 is drawn downward in anticlockwise direction, and curve no. 4 can be drawn either way, i.e. clockwise or anticlockwise. Curves 2 and 3 can be depicted by thin or thick line, representing different consonants.

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FIGURE 2

In Figure 3, again, the circle is divided into four sections represented by 4 curves, viz. curve nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4. Curve no. 1 is always made left to right, in clockwise direction, curve no. 2 is drawn clockwise downward, curve no. 3 is drawn left to right in anticlockwise direction and curve no. 4 is drawn downward in anticlockwise direction. From the figure, it can be observed that curve nos. 4 and 2 form a shape of bracket. Curve 1 and 3 can be denoted by thin or thick line, representing different consonants.

FIGURE 3

FIGURE 4

In addition, there are some other consonants which are represented by inclined straight line with hooks and circles. These are shown in Figure 4.

The hooks and circles should not be enlarged in any case otherwise the sense of the stroke will change.

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2 3

4

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1.2.2 Size of the Stroke

Stroke must be of a uniform length and its length should be 5 mm or about one sixth of an inch. The strokes should be made with great accuracy, neatness and uniformity. A stroke is written with one impression; no correction is done afterwards. In case wrong outline is formed, cross it and write again.

1.2.3 Classification of Consonants

The consonants may be classified as under-

i. Exponents

The first eight consonants viz. P, B, T, D, Ch, J, K & G are classified as exponents, because while pronouncing them outgoing breath is forced in a sudden gust through barriers already closed.

ii. Continuants

Consonants F, V, ith, TH, S, Z, SH and ZH are called as continuants, because while pronouncing them outgoing breath goes in a continuous stream.

iii. Nasals

Consonants M, N, NG are termed nasals, because the outgoing breath goes out through the nose.

iv. Liquids

Consonants L & R are referred to as liquids, because liquids flow into union with other consonants and thus make double consonants. For example in Play L blends with P and in Try R blends with T.

v. Coalescent

Consonants W (way) and Y (yay) are classified as Coalescent, because these precede vowels and unite with them.

vi. Aspirate

Consonant H (hay) is classified as an aspirate, because it breaths upon the following vowel.

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1.2.4 Table of Consonants

A number of characters under each category of consonants and their symbols are given in the following Table:

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1.2.5 Denotation of Consonants by different Strokes

(i) Straight Downward Stroke

P, B, T, D, CH and J as they are formed by straight lines in a downward motion. Of these, letter P& B are drawn at 1200, T& D are drawn at 900 and Ch, J are at 600 angle from the perpendicular to the horizontal line.

(ii) Upstrokes

W & Y are written with upward motion starting from the line at 300 to the horizontal line.

(iii) Horizontal Stroke

K, G, M, N, Ng are formed by lines and curves drawn horizontally, at an angle of 1800 to the horizontal line.

(iv) Curved downward stroke

F, V, TH, S, Z, SH and ZH are formed by shallow curves with downward motion. The angle should be approx. 950 to the horizontal line.

(v) Curved Upward Stroke

Shallow curve L is commonly written upward. This can also be written downward, if required.

(vi) Inclined Straight Line with Hooks & Circles

Hay is written in both ways, upward and downward. Way and Yay are always written upward.

Strokes R and H are written in, both, upward and downward motions. R downward is a shallow curve. R, a straight line, is written with upward motion making angle of 300 with the horizontal line.

The strokes (straight and curved) are thin and thick for the representation of pairs of similar sounds. Thin strokes are written sometimes upward and sometimes downward but thick strokes are always written downward.

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1.2.6 Joining of Consonants

Joining of consonants is necessary for making the words. Joining the strokes means to write two or more consonant strokes together without lifting the pen or pencil.

1.2.7 Rules for Joining of Strokes

i. While joining strokes the pen or pencil should not be lifted. The second stroke should be written at the end of the first stroke. The third stroke should be written at the end of the second stroke and so on.

ii. The motion of drawing the stroke will remain the same. When strokes are joined to each other, they must be written in the same direction as when written alone.

iii. Downward strokes are always written in downward direction.

iv. The size of the stroke will remain the same, approximately 5 mm.

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v. The thickness of the strokes should be uniform throughout.

vi. The orientation of angles and the shallow curves in the strokes will remain the same to denote a particular consonant.

Some examples of joined consonants are given in the following table:

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1.2.8 Position of the Stroke

(i) When the first stroke in an outline is a downward stroke, it should rest on the line and the second downward stroke is written below the line. For example:

(ii) When the horizontal stroke is followed by a downward stroke, the horizontal stroke should commence sufficiently above the horizontal line to allow the downward stroke to rest upon the line. For example:

When a horizontal stroke is followed by either a horizontal stroke or by an upward stroke, the horizontal stroke must be written on the line. For example:

(iii) When an upward stroke is the first stroke in an outline, it should begin on the line. For example:

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Self-check Questions

1. Write total no. of strokes.

2. Write total no. of Curve strokes.

3. Write total no. of Straight strokes.

4. What is Nasal?

5. What are the horizontal strokes?

6. Which strokes are upward strokes?

1.3 Vowels

Pitman’s shorthand is written according to the sound and not according to the spellings. In Shorthand the position of the strokes is decided on the basis of vowel sounds. According to Prof. Sweet, “If the mouth passage is left so open as not to cause audible friction and voiced breath is sent through it, we have a vowel.”

1.3.1 Types of Vowels

In English language there are five vowels, a, e, i, o and u. However in Pitman’s shorthand there are twelve vowels which are divided in two groups:

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(i) The First group consists of six vowels, which are long and are referred as heavy or dark vowels. The sounds of these vowels are represented by a dark dot or a dark dash. The position of a dot or a dash signifies different sound of the vowels as mentioned below:-

Position 1 Position 2 Position 3

(Above the line) (On the line) (Through the line)

Dot Vowels: Ah (PA) A (MAY) E (WE)

Dash Vowels: Aw (ALL) O (GO) OO (TOO)

The vowels can be remembered by repeating the sentence- PA MAY WE ALL GO TOO.

The sound in this sentence is represented by making a dot or a dash at different positions as mentioned above.

(ii) The second group of six vowels are referred to as short (light) vowel. The sounds of these vowels are represented by a light dot or a light dash. The position of a dot or a dash signifies different sounds of the vowels as mentioned below:-

Position 1 Position 2 Position 3

(Above the line) (On the line) (Through the line)

Dot Vowels: A (THAT) E (PEN) I (IS)

Dash Vowels: O (NOT) U (MUCH) OO (GOOD)

The vowels can be remembered by repeating the sentence- THAT PEN IS NOT MUCH GOOD.

The sound in this sentence is represented by making a light dot or a light dash at different positions as mentioned above.

1.3.2 Positions of Vowels

There are three points on a stroke close to which a vowel sign may be placed (see Figure 5) (i) At the beginning of the stroke, (ii) Middle of the stroke and (iii) At the end of the stroke. The vowels are accordingly called first place, second place and third place vowels, respectively. Vowel places are counted from the point at which the stroke begins.

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FIGURE 5

Every stroke has two sides, left hand side and right hand side. If the vowels sound comes before the stroke, the vowel sign (dot or dash) is placed on the left hand side of the stroke, and if the vowel sound comes after the stroke, the vowel sign (dot or dash) is placed on the right hand side of the stroke. These sides are also known as “before side” and “after side” of the consonants strokes, respectively.

In the case of horizontal strokes, if the vowel sound comes before the stroke the vowel sign is put on the “upper side” or the “above side” of the stroke and if the vowel sound comes after the stroke the vowel sign is put on the “lower side” of the stroke (Figure 5 G).

Examples to show difference between heavy or long (Dark) and short (Light) Vowels

DARK VOWELS

Word Sound Indication Place Example

Pa

May

We

AH

A

E

Dark Dot

Dark Dot

Dark Dot

First

Second

Third

Palm, Talk

Paid, Raid

Tea, Eat

All

Go

Too

AW

O

OO

Dark Dash

Dark Dash

Dark Dash

First

Second

Third

Paw, Ball

Boat, Road

Zoo, Ooze

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LIGHT VOWELS

Word Sound Indication Place Example

That

Pen

Is

A

e

i

Light Dot

Light Dot

Light Dot

First

Second

Third

Bat, Tap

Men. Ten

Bill, Mill

Not

Much

Good

O

u

oo

Light Dash

Light Dash

Light Dash

First

Second

Third

Talk, Rod

Touch, Rush

Wood, Hood

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1.3.3 Following Vowels

If a vowel comes after a consonant, it is called “Following vowel”.

A heavy dot in the first place represents the long vowel ah; in the second place it represents the long vowel ay; in the third place it represents the long vowel ee. For example:

To recognize the sound, remember the sentence PA MAY WE in which the sound is as described below specifying the position of the outline.

Position� above the line on the line cross/ through the line

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A heavy dash in the first place represents the long vowel aw, in the second place it represents the long vowel o; in the third place it represents the long vowel oo. For example:

To recognize the sound, remember the sentence ALL GO TOO in which the sound is as described below specifying the position of the outline.

Position� above the line on the line cross/ through the line

A light dot in the first place represents the short vowel a, in the second place it represents the short vowel ae, and in the third place it represents the short vowel e. For example:

To recognize the sound, remember the sentence THAT PEN IS in which the sound is as described below specifying the position of the outline.

Position� above the line on the line cross/ through the line

A light dash in the first place represents the short vowel a, in the second place it represents the short vowel ae, and in the third place it represents the short vowel.

To recognize the sound, remember the sentence NOT MUCH GOOD in which the sound is as described below specifying the position of the outline.

Position� above the line on the line cross/ through the line

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1.3.4 Preceding Vowels

The vowels which come before a consonant are called “Preceding vowels”. The vowels are read first followed by consonants. Some examples of preceding vowels are given below alongwith the stroke position according to their sound –

Position� above the line on the line cross/ through the line

Here one can understand from the word “are” that the vowel “a” precedes the consonant “r”. Therefore, on the basis of sound the vowel precedes the consonant and accordingly the strokes are made. Now read the following words:

(i) Words represented by Heavy dot and heavy dash:

(ii) Words represented by light dot and light dash:

Eat

Ear

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Self-check Questions

7. Fill in the blanks:

(i) For the first place vowel the first stroke of the word should be written ___________.

(ii) For the second place vowel, the first stroke of the word should be written ___________.

8. How many short Vowels are in Pitman’s Shorthand?

9. How many long Vowels are in Pitman’s Shorthand?

1.4 Assignments

1.4.1 Class Assignment

Transcribe the following -

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1.4.2 Home Assignment

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1.5 Summary

• Pitman Shorthand is phonetic, words being written according to their sound.

• The strokes are twenty-six in number, and each stroke has distinct name and denotation.

• In consonants there are mainly two elements, a straight stroke and a shallow curve.

• The strokes (Straight and Curved) are thin and thick for the representation of pairs of similar sounds.

• Thin strokes are written sometimes upward, sometimes downward but thick strokes are never written upward.

• Strokes must be of a uniform length, about one sixth of an inch.

• Strokes are written by one impression, and the thick curves taper at each end.

• The stroke representing chay is written downward; the stroke representing ray is written upward.

• Strokes when joined must be written without lifting the pen.

• There are six long vowels, represented by a heavy dot and dash, and six corresponding short vowels, represented by a light dot and dash.

• The vowels are called first-place, second-place, and third-place, respectively.

• The vowel-signs are put in the places which correspond with their numbers.

• Vowel-places are counted from the beginning point of the stroke.

• The order of reading vowel-signs with their strokes is: i. with down strokes and upstrokes- from left to right, ii. With horizontal strokes- from top to bottom.

• In making an outline the consonant is written first and then the vowel-sign.

1.6 Answers to Self-check Questions

1. 26 strokes

2. 13 curve strokes

3. 13 straight strokes

4. Consonant M, N, NG are termed nasals because the outgoing breath goes out through the nose.

5. K, G, M, N, NG

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6. Way, Yay, Upward R, L

7. (i) above the line (beginning of the stroke)

(ii) on the line (middle of the stroke)

8. 6 short vowels

9. 6 long vowels

1.7 Terminal Questions

1. Define the system of English Shorthand along with examples and explain classes of consonants.

2. Write the number of vowels, number of their places and define each.

3. How many strokes are written upward and downward. Give examples.

4. Define the order of reading vowel-signs with their strokes (with examples)

a. With down strokes and upstrokes

b. With horizontal strokes

c. With curved strokes

1.8 Reference

• Pitman Shorthand Instructor and Key, Wheeler Publishing, Allahabad, 2003.

1.9 Suggested Reading

• Pitman Shorthand Instructor and Key, Wheeler Publishing, Allahabad, 2003.

1.10 Glossary

• Stroke – different symbols denoting a consonant or an vowel.

• Outline – A combination of strokes represents consonants and vowels.

• Phonetic – Sound which is generated in pronouncing a word of any language.