WELCOME MY DEAR FELLOW PITMANITES & PARTICIPANTS OF THIS SESSION ON ENGLISH SHORTHAND Past, Present...

WELCOME MY DEAR FELLOW PITMANITES & PARTICIPANTS OF THIS SESSION ON ENGLISH SHORTHAND Past, Present & Future

Shorthand An Introduction Shorthand is an abbreviated symbolic writing method that increases speed and brevity of writing as compared to a normal method of writing a language. This process of writing in shorthand is called stenography. It is derived from the Greek wordsGreek stenos (narrow) and graph or graphie (writing). It has also been called brachygraphy, from Greek brachys (short) graphie (writing) and tachygraphy, from Greek tachys (swift, speedy), graphie (writing) Shorthand An Introduction Shorthand is an abbreviated symbolic writing method that increases speed and brevity of writing as compared to a normal method of writing a language. This process of writing in shorthand is called stenography. It is derived from the Greek wordsGreek stenos (narrow) and graph or graphie (writing). It has also been called brachygraphy, from Greek brachys (short) graphie (writing) and tachygraphy, from Greek tachys (swift, speedy), graphie (writing)

The characters used in shorthand systems tend to be based on two main approaches, script or cursive -- these systems use letters, signs or symbols derived from normal handwriting or print forms based on the Roman alphabet. geometric -- These systems use an arbitrary alphabet of signs or characters which may be derived from a geometric pattern such as a circle or ellipse. The signs may be angular or they may follow the slope of normal handwriting. Similarly, there have been two principal abbreviation approaches; Orthography -- systems based on the way words are spelled. Phonography -- systems based on the way words sounds are pronounced. The characters used in shorthand systems tend to be based on two main approaches, script or cursive -- these systems use letters, signs or symbols derived from normal handwriting or print forms based on the Roman alphabet. geometric -- These systems use an arbitrary alphabet of signs or characters which may be derived from a geometric pattern such as a circle or ellipse. The signs may be angular or they may follow the slope of normal handwriting. Similarly, there have been two principal abbreviation approaches; Orthography -- systems based on the way words are spelled. Phonography -- systems based on the way words sounds are pronounced.

Early shorthand systems tended to use the orthographic approach but most of the more successful systems from the eighteenth century onwards have used the phonographic approach. Shorthand was considered an essential part of secretarial training as well as being useful for journalists. In addition, shorthand has been used through the centuries as a cultural tool: George Bernard Shaw wrote his plays in shorthand; Samuel Pepys recorded his diary in shorthand; Ciceros orations, Martin Luthers sermons, and Shakespeares plays were all preserved by means of shorthand. Early shorthand systems tended to use the orthographic approach but most of the more successful systems from the eighteenth century onwards have used the phonographic approach. Shorthand was considered an essential part of secretarial training as well as being useful for journalists. In addition, shorthand has been used through the centuries as a cultural tool: George Bernard Shaw wrote his plays in shorthand; Samuel Pepys recorded his diary in shorthand; Ciceros orations, Martin Luthers sermons, and Shakespeares plays were all preserved by means of shorthand.

Origin and Development The earliest known indication of shorthand systems is from Ancient Greece, namely the Acropolis stone (Akropolisstein) from mid-4th century BC. The marble slab shows a writing system primarily based on vowels, using certain modifications to indicate consonants.Ancient GreeceAcropolis4th century BC HellenisticHellenistic tachygraphy is reported from the 2nd century BC onwards, though there are indications that it might be older. It consisted of word stem signs and word ending signs. Over a period, many syllabic signs were developed.2nd century BC The oldest datable reference is a contract from Middle Egypt, stating that Oxyrhynchos gives his Greek slave to the "semeiographer" Apollonios for two years to be taught shorthand writing.Egypt Origin and Development The earliest known indication of shorthand systems is from Ancient Greece, namely the Acropolis stone (Akropolisstein) from mid-4th century BC. The marble slab shows a writing system primarily based on vowels, using certain modifications to indicate consonants.Ancient GreeceAcropolis4th century BC HellenisticHellenistic tachygraphy is reported from the 2nd century BC onwards, though there are indications that it might be older. It consisted of word stem signs and word ending signs. Over a period, many syllabic signs were developed.2nd century BC The oldest datable reference is a contract from Middle Egypt, stating that Oxyrhynchos gives his Greek slave to the "semeiographer" Apollonios for two years to be taught shorthand writing.Egypt

In Ancient Rome, Marcus Tullius Tiro (103 BC4 BC), a slave and later a freedman of Cicero, developed the Tironian notes so he could write down Cicero's speeches.Ancient RomeMarcus Tullius Tiro103 BC4 BCfreedmanCiceroTironian notes The Tironian notes consisted of word stem abbreviations (notae) and of word ending abbreviations (titulae). The original Tironian notes consisted of about 4000 signs but new signs were introduced so that their number might increase to as many as 13,000. After the decline of the Roman Empire, the Tironian notes were not used any more to transcribe speeches and they were mostly forgotten.decline of the Roman Empire When many monastery libraries were secularized in the course of the 16th century Protestant Reformation, long-forgotten manuscripts of Tironian notes were rediscovered.monasterysecularized16th centuryProtestant Reformation In Ancient Rome, Marcus Tullius Tiro (103 BC4 BC), a slave and later a freedman of Cicero, developed the Tironian notes so he could write down Cicero's speeches.Ancient RomeMarcus Tullius Tiro103 BC4 BCfreedmanCiceroTironian notes The Tironian notes consisted of word stem abbreviations (notae) and of word ending abbreviations (titulae). The original Tironian notes consisted of about 4000 signs but new signs were introduced so that their number might increase to as many as 13,000. After the decline of the Roman Empire, the Tironian notes were not used any more to transcribe speeches and they were mostly forgotten.decline of the Roman Empire When many monastery libraries were secularized in the course of the 16th century Protestant Reformation, long-forgotten manuscripts of Tironian notes were rediscovered.monasterysecularized16th centuryProtestant Reformation

Sir Isaac Pitman Isaac Pitman (b.1813-1897) published his work Stenographic Sound-Hand in 1837. This marked a new era in the development of phonetic shorthand systems. It is one of the most important geometric systems of shorthand. Sir Isaac Pitman Isaac Pitman (b.1813-1897) published his work Stenographic Sound-Hand in 1837. This marked a new era in the development of phonetic shorthand systems. It is one of the most important geometric systems of shorthand. Simple geometrical lines furnish the signs for the phonographic Alphabet. To each sign may be appended hooks, circles and loops of two sizes, initial and final. Each sign may be halved and the curves are halved and doubled in length and each sign may be used in three positions.

In the Pitman method all words are written according to their sounds and the consonant alphabet is based on the pattern uses paired thick and thin strokes, shallow curves, circles, loops, hooks, etc. A thick stroke represents the heavier sound of the similar thin stroke, e.g. D is a thickened T. Pitman's shorthand is a masterpiece of word abbreviation but has a multiplicity of rules, alternatives and exceptions which makes it somewhat difficult to learn. A hook precursor sign written in different positions is used to indicate R and L. A final hook may represent N, F or V depending on the preceding letter. Vowels are indicated by inserting light and heavy dots or dashes as diacritic marks. These are placed in any of three positions before or after a consonant sign according to their sound and where they occur in a word. In the Pitman method all words are written according to their sounds and the consonant alphabet is based on the pattern uses paired thick and thin strokes, shallow curves, circles, loops, hooks, etc. A thick stroke represents the heavier sound of the similar thin stroke, e.g. D is a thickened T. Pitman's shorthand is a masterpiece of word abbreviation but has a multiplicity of rules, alternatives and exceptions which makes it somewhat difficult to learn. A hook precursor sign written in different positions is used to indicate R and L. A final hook may represent N, F or V depending on the preceding letter. Vowels are indicated by inserting light and heavy dots or dashes as diacritic marks. These are placed in any of three positions before or after a consonant sign according to their sound and where they occur in a word.

In addition, word outlines can be written in three positions, above, on or below the line of writing, relating to the sound of the vowel. Advanced writers can then omit most of the diacritic vowel signs and rely on indicating the vowel sounds by the position of the outline. Pitman himself changed his sign alphabet and published numerous editions of the method (these appeared yearly between 1871 and 1894. The complex system of word abbreviation has been progressively simplified over the years, but the system remains powerful although time-consuming to learn and practise. A list of about 500 known and verifiable shorthand systems were there and the list will be shown to you at the end of this presentation, for information purpose. In addition, word outlines can be written in three positions, above, on or below the line of writing, relating to the sound of the vowel. Advanced writers can then omit most of the diacritic vowel signs and rely on indicating the vowel sounds by the position of the outline. Pitman himself changed his sign alphabet and published numerous editions of the method (these appeared yearly between 1871 and 1894. The complex system of word abbreviation has been progressively simplified over the years, but the system remains powerful although time-consuming to learn and practise. A list of about 500 known and verifiable shorthand systems were there and the list will be shown to you at the end of this presentation, for information purpose.

Pitmans shorthand its supremacy Pitmans system classifies the sounds of a language into basic groups and make use of simple abbreviations for rapidity. These basic groups of Pitmans system, i.e. explodents, continuants, nasals, liquids, coalescents, and aspirate can be found from the almost similar groups in our Sanskrit alphabet like ka, ga / cha ja / ta da / pa ba / ya ra la va sa sha ha, etc., which proves that Pitman has formed the consonants in a scientific and practical way. Consonants are drawn from simple geometrical signs, straight lines, and shallow curves. As far as possible they are paired; thus, a light slanted line stands for p and a heavier slanted line for b, a light vertical line stands for t and a heavier one for d, and so on. Pitmans shorthand its supremacy Pitmans system classifies the sounds of a language into basic groups and make use of simple abbreviations for rapidity. These basic groups of Pitmans system, i.e. explodents, continuants, nasals, liquids, coalescents, and aspirate can be found from the almost similar groups in our Sanskrit alphabet like ka, ga / cha ja / ta da / pa ba / ya ra la va sa sha ha, etc., which proves that Pitman has formed the consonants in a scientific and practical way. Consonants are drawn from simple geometrical signs, straight lines, and shallow curves. As far as possible they are paired; thus, a light slanted line stands for p and a heavier slanted line for b, a light vertical line stands for t and a heavier one for d, and so on.

Vowels are indicated by disjoined dots and dashes that are placed in specific positions relative to the consonants and the line of writing. The system makes use of circles, loops, and hooks for sounds frequently used in consonant combinations and syllables (e.g., for s, st, str, spr, and -ter, -der, -tion) which are easy to write alone or combined with other strokes. Syllables are also added by halving or doubling the length of a consonant stroke. Here we find that by halving a stroke, i.e. by reducing the time to write a stroke to half of its length, we will be recording two syllables, a great advantage in speed writing. Pitman shorthand was introduced into the United States in 1852; among the many languages to which it has been adapted are Hindi, Hebrew, Arabic, Persian, German, French, Spanish, and Dutch. Vowels are indicated by disjoined dots and dashes that are placed in specific positions relative to the consonants and the line of writing. The system makes use of circles, loops, and hooks for sounds frequently used in consonant combinations and syllables (e.g., for s, st, str, spr, and -ter, -der, -tion) which are easy to write alone or combined with other strokes. Syllables are also added by halving or doubling the length of a consonant stroke. Here we find that by halving a stroke, i.e. by reducing the time to write a stroke to half of its length, we will be recording two syllables, a great advantage in speed writing. Pitman shorthand was introduced into the United States in 1852; among the many languages to which it has been adapted are Hindi, Hebrew, Arabic, Persian, German, French, Spanish, and Dutch.

Still Pitmans system is alone being used in India and Asian countries. It is still being used in UK besides Teeline which can not be used for high speed writing. In US Pitman and Gregg systems are being used.

Teaching Methods of shorthand Shorthand is taught in different ways by different teachers/ institutions. They are discussed briefly. The Deductive Method: In this method, the students are taught the rules first, with illustrative examples, and then they apply these rules to new outlines. Most of the shorthand teachers in India follow this method. Teaching Methods of shorthand Shorthand is taught in different ways by different teachers/ institutions. They are discussed briefly. The Deductive Method: In this method, the students are taught the rules first, with illustrative examples, and then they apply these rules to new outlines. Most of the shorthand teachers in India follow this method.

The Inductive Method: By this method, students are given a number of examples to examine, and then with the help of teacher, discover the rules for themselves. Writing Exercises and Examination Tests, containing about 40000 words graded according to rules, is an invaluable boon for the teacher using this method. The advantage of the inductive method is that learning is usually more vivid and lasting where students reason the rules for themselves; the disadvantage is that the presentation of new work tends to take up too much time in the teaching period. The Modern Course, is designed for use with the inductive method. The Inductive Method: By this method, students are given a number of examples to examine, and then with the help of teacher, discover the rules for themselves. Writing Exercises and Examination Tests, containing about 40000 words graded according to rules, is an invaluable boon for the teacher using this method. The advantage of the inductive method is that learning is usually more vivid and lasting where students reason the rules for themselves; the disadvantage is that the presentation of new work tends to take up too much time in the teaching period. The Modern Course, is designed for use with the inductive method.

The Direct Method: Apart from some early instruction on consonants and vowels, rules, as far as practicable, are ignored. The students are given outlines to learn and these are dictated and re-dictated in context until they are able to write at speed. The Modern Course is the most suitable textbook for this method. From about 80+ wpm, it becomes necessary for the students to have a better grasp of the underlying structure of the system and it would be advantageous to work through A Students Review of Pitmans Shorthand. The experienced teacher will find that a combination of Deductive Method and Direct Method achieves the best results. The Direct Method: Apart from some early instruction on consonants and vowels, rules, as far as practicable, are ignored. The students are given outlines to learn and these are dictated and re-dictated in context until they are able to write at speed. The Modern Course is the most suitable textbook for this method. From about 80+ wpm, it becomes necessary for the students to have a better grasp of the underlying structure of the system and it would be advantageous to work through A Students Review of Pitmans Shorthand. The experienced teacher will find that a combination of Deductive Method and Direct Method achieves the best results.

In the present days, online coaching is made available by many enthusiastic teachers or institutions/associations. Shorthand can be taught using virtual class room, personalized portals, fully hosted platforms made available by many web companies, such as wiziq.com, at a very nominal pricing. These virtual class-rooms can be used where teacher-student interface is difficult. Using the multi-media, the students can learn the subject at their own pace. Try to visit the websites: http://pitmanshorthand.homestead.com/ http://www.long-live-pitmans-shorthand.org.uk/ http://www.nssbooks.com/shorthand.php http://www.stenold.org/onlineshand.html In the present days, online coaching is made available by many enthusiastic teachers or institutions/associations. Shorthand can be taught using virtual class room, personalized portals, fully hosted platforms made available by many web companies, such as wiziq.com, at a very nominal pricing. These virtual class-rooms can be used where teacher-student interface is difficult. Using the multi-media, the students can learn the subject at their own pace. Try to visit the websites: http://pitmanshorthand.homestead.com/ http://www.long-live-pitmans-shorthand.org.uk/ http://www.nssbooks.com/shorthand.php http://www.stenold.org/onlineshand.html

Availability of material for Shorthand practice and development It is understood that Pitmans sold their publications division to Pearson Education. Now Pearson are publishing the new era edition of Instructor only in India. However, M/s. Leema Publications, Allahabad are publishing few new era books such as Instructor with Key, 700 Common Words Reading and Dictation Exercises, Pocket and Medium size shorthand dictionaries, Big size Pitman shorthand Dictionary with English meanings, New Phonographic Phrase Book, New Era New Course and its Key. Some practice material is made available by National Shorthand School (Books), Visakhapatnam, M/s. Laxmi Prasuram, Trichy, Guru for Shorthand, Jammu, Bhagwan Associates, Bangalore, and some online shops like infibeam, ebay, flipcart,etc. Availability of material for Shorthand practice and development It is understood that Pitmans sold their publications division to Pearson Education. Now Pearson are publishing the new era edition of Instructor only in India. However, M/s. Leema Publications, Allahabad are publishing few new era books such as Instructor with Key, 700 Common Words Reading and Dictation Exercises, Pocket and Medium size shorthand dictionaries, Big size Pitman shorthand Dictionary with English meanings, New Phonographic Phrase Book, New Era New Course and its Key. Some practice material is made available by National Shorthand School (Books), Visakhapatnam, M/s. Laxmi Prasuram, Trichy, Guru for Shorthand, Jammu, Bhagwan Associates, Bangalore, and some online shops like infibeam, ebay, flipcart,etc.

Job opportunities Recent trends Since 2000 onwards, due to the advent of computers in every field of life, the strength of students opting to learn Shorthand started declining. At the same time, there has been a change in the attitude of parents to send their children to typewriting and shorthand classes. They prefer their wards to learn computers in the summer vacations and continue the same practice in computer learning besides regular coaching in class-rooms. This paved the way to closure of many twin arts institutions in India. The comparative advantage in learning computers instead of shorthand is that the time consumed to learn the subject is very short and there was demand for various jobs in the computer related employment. Job opportunities Recent trends Since 2000 onwards, due to the advent of computers in every field of life, the strength of students opting to learn Shorthand started declining. At the same time, there has been a change in the attitude of parents to send their children to typewriting and shorthand classes. They prefer their wards to learn computers in the summer vacations and continue the same practice in computer learning besides regular coaching in class-rooms. This paved the way to closure of many twin arts institutions in India. The comparative advantage in learning computers instead of shorthand is that the time consumed to learn the subject is very short and there was demand for various jobs in the computer related employment.

In the meantime, the working strength of stenographers in public and private sectors started reducing due to retirements, etc. Now it has come to an alarming situation that there are hundreds of vacancies of senior stenographers and reporters in the courts of many States in India which could not be filled for want of qualified shorthand writers. Many State Public Service Commissions have advertised for filling up the posts of Stenographers in various grades but it is understood that the number of applications received from qualified people are less than the advertised vacancies. It is observed at present, that many of the students are showing interest to learn shorthand but the Institutions and private teachers have stopped teaching shorthand due to scanty response in the previous years. In the meantime, the working strength of stenographers in public and private sectors started reducing due to retirements, etc. Now it has come to an alarming situation that there are hundreds of vacancies of senior stenographers and reporters in the courts of many States in India which could not be filled for want of qualified shorthand writers. Many State Public Service Commissions have advertised for filling up the posts of Stenographers in various grades but it is understood that the number of applications received from qualified people are less than the advertised vacancies. It is observed at present, that many of the students are showing interest to learn shorthand but the Institutions and private teachers have stopped teaching shorthand due to scanty response in the previous years.

To overcome the situation, I am of the opinion that we should plan to teach shorthand electronically, using the multi-media (audio and video) bundling the required books to learn and complete the course by the student himself (individually) at home, at his convenience. Subsequently, they may start developing the speeds using the audio CDs with relevant printed material and few other reference books available in the market. There are a number of enthusiasts hosting websites offering the coaching in Pitmans shorthand free of cost, as stated earlier. To overcome the situation, I am of the opinion that we should plan to teach shorthand electronically, using the multi-media (audio and video) bundling the required books to learn and complete the course by the student himself (individually) at home, at his convenience. Subsequently, they may start developing the speeds using the audio CDs with relevant printed material and few other reference books available in the market. There are a number of enthusiasts hosting websites offering the coaching in Pitmans shorthand free of cost, as stated earlier.

Present examination system in India Examination system is in existence in the southern States of India and Maharashtra. The syllabus and examination pattern is different from State to State, as the technical education is in the Concurrent List. The examination duration for 60wpm, 80wpm, 100wpm and 120 wpm, has been reduced to 7 minutes from 10 minutes. The 7 minutes dictation varies i.e. 5 min passage + 2 min letter or 4 min passage + 3 minutes letter from State to State and within the State. Present examination system in India Examination system is in existence in the southern States of India and Maharashtra. The syllabus and examination pattern is different from State to State, as the technical education is in the Concurrent List. The examination duration for 60wpm, 80wpm, 100wpm and 120 wpm, has been reduced to 7 minutes from 10 minutes. The 7 minutes dictation varies i.e. 5 min passage + 2 min letter or 4 min passage + 3 minutes letter from State to State and within the State.

Though the duration for lower (junior)/ inter/senior is common for speed paper, there is a vast difference in the second paper i.e. theory part. Since the object of examination is to test the knowledge of the student in the subject, it may be right on the part of individual States to prepare their own pattern of examination as far as theory is concerned. It is also pointed out that many States of India do not organize examinations in the subject of shorthand and hence the shorthand students from those States do not possess any certificates. This could be the reason why the Central Government (Staff Selection Commission) do not prescribe any qualification for filling up the posts of lower cadre Stenographers. Though the duration for lower (junior)/ inter/senior is common for speed paper, there is a vast difference in the second paper i.e. theory part. Since the object of examination is to test the knowledge of the student in the subject, it may be right on the part of individual States to prepare their own pattern of examination as far as theory is concerned. It is also pointed out that many States of India do not organize examinations in the subject of shorthand and hence the shorthand students from those States do not possess any certificates. This could be the reason why the Central Government (Staff Selection Commission) do not prescribe any qualification for filling up the posts of lower cadre Stenographers.

It is also observed that the way of dictation to the students is varying. In South India, the punctuation marks are not read while dictating the passage, whereas in North India, the punctuation marks are read. There is a necessity to take up with the Governments that the examinations for shorthand students be made uniform. It is also observed that the way of dictation to the students is varying. In South India, the punctuation marks are not read while dictating the passage, whereas in North India, the punctuation marks are read. There is a necessity to take up with the Governments that the examinations for shorthand students be made uniform.

Future Prospects Taking into account, the present scenario, one can assess that every student of shorthand with reasonable knowledge and speed in writing will have no difficulty in getting a job in private or government institutions. Though the computer has entered into every nook and corner of our lives, still there needs a lot of improvement in computers ability to replace a stenographer or a personal assistant or a private secretary, etc. etc. The computer by itself cannot correct the mistakes dictated to it, cannot instantly read it back and adjust the sentence according to the subsequent changes in thought, cannot understand the boss and his mind, cannot type letters with oral instructions of a boss, etc. etc. In view of the reasons stated above, there is no threat immediately or in the near future, from the computer to the jobs of stenographers. Future Prospects Taking into account, the present scenario, one can assess that every student of shorthand with reasonable knowledge and speed in writing will have no difficulty in getting a job in private or government institutions. Though the computer has entered into every nook and corner of our lives, still there needs a lot of improvement in computers ability to replace a stenographer or a personal assistant or a private secretary, etc. etc. The computer by itself cannot correct the mistakes dictated to it, cannot instantly read it back and adjust the sentence according to the subsequent changes in thought, cannot understand the boss and his mind, cannot type letters with oral instructions of a boss, etc. etc. In view of the reasons stated above, there is no threat immediately or in the near future, from the computer to the jobs of stenographers.

WELCOME MY DEAR FELLOW PITMANITES & PARTICIPANTS OF THIS SESSION ON ENGLISH SHORTHAND Past, Present...

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