Pitman shorthand

Pitman shorthand

▪ writing system
      system of rapid writing based on the sounds of words (i.e., the phonetic principle) rather than on conventional spellings. Invented by Sir Isaac Pitman (Pitman, Sir Isaac), an English educator, the Pitman shorthand method was first published in 1837 as Stenographic Sound Hand. Pitman's system classifies the sounds of a language into basic groups and makes use of simple abbreviations for rapidity. Consonants are drawn from simple geometrical forms, 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). Syllables are also added by halving or doubling the length of a consonant stroke.

      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.

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • shorthand — /shawrt hand /, n. 1. a method of rapid handwriting using simple strokes, abbreviations, or symbols that designate letters, words, or phrases (distinguished from longhand). 2. a simplified or makeshift manner or system of communication: We spoke… …   Universalium

  • Pitman, Gregg —    Shorthand is an old system for quickly recording speeches. Marcus Tullius Tiro invented what has come to be known as the Tironian system. Tiro was a freedman and amanuensis of Cicero. The ampersand (&), a contraction of the Latin and, is still …   Dictionary of eponyms

  • Pitman — Pitman, Sir Isaac, Erfinder des verbreitetsten englischen Stenographiesystems, geb. 4. Jan. 1813 in Trowbridge (Wiltshire), gest. 22. Jan. 1897 in Bath, war zuerst Volksschullehrer und veröffentlichte als Vorsteher des Kollegs zu Barton on Humber …   Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon

  • Pitman — [pit′mən] Sir Isaac 1813 97; Eng. inventor of a system of shorthand …   English World dictionary

  • Pitman, Sir Isaac — ▪ English educator and inventor born Jan. 4, 1813, Trowbridge, Wiltshire, Eng. died Jan. 12, 1897, Somerset  English educator and inventor of the shorthand system named for him.       After clerking in a textile mill, Pitman entered a training… …   Universalium

  • shorthand — I (New American Roget s College Thesaurus) n. stenography, phonography, stenotypy, stenology; Pitman, Gregg, Speedwriting. See writing. II (Roget s IV) n. Syn. stenography, stenotype, speedwriting, phonography. Varieties of shorthand include:… …   English dictionary for students

  • Pitman — /pit meuhn/, n. Sir Isaac, 1813 97, English inventor of a system of shorthand. * * * …   Universalium

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