SHORTHAND AND ITS NATURE

SHORTHAND AND ITS NATURE

The oxford learners Dictionary defines shorthand as a method of rapid writing by means of abbreviations and symbols, used especially for taking dictation.

While to Isaac Pitman (1887) it is the art of representing spoken sounds by written signs. The major systems of shorthand currently in use are those devised in 1887 by Sir Isaac Pitman.

According to the national institute of open schooling (2008), pitman’s system of shorthand(s) consists of 24 consonants, 12 vowels and 4 diphthongs.

The consonants are classified into the first place, second place and third place vowels respectively. Because of these rules shorthand demands a high degree of concentration, hard work and deep interest on the part of both the student and lecturer.

Getting skills in shorthand demands serious study which involves drilling and taking dictation daily.

It is different from other liter courses because of the intensive study of the principles, learning skills, the ability to write down dictation and ability to transcribe the outlines in longhand.

It is important to note that students of shorthands make every effort to acquire the basic skill of writing outlines.

To achieve this goal, emphasis should be placed on teaching the basic principles governing the writing of shorthands outlines.

It is important that students should create more rigors for the learning of shorthands gust as much as they create to build up or develop their shorthand speed.

If shorthands is given the interested concentration its deserves, there will be no reason why anyone should fail to reach a considerable high speed.

Unfortunately, most students see shorthands as very difficult due to the teaching method as lecturers often fails to spend enough time to explain the principles which the students have not mastered rather they emphasize on dictation, nevertheless know that speed development is not complete without adequate of the principles.

For every shorthands writer the following should serve as guide.
i) A sense of phonetic and articulate sounds
ii) A philosophical method of writing system of shorthand
iii) The alertness of the brain and fingers for speed development.