Various systems of speed writing based on alphabetic characters have been introduced over the last 50 years: Speedwriting, ABC Stenoscript, Forkner, AlphaHand, Speedwriting by Pulis, Baine's Typed Shorthand, SuperWrite, HySpeed Longhand, Abbreviatrix, Handywrite, and Quickhand.
Some speed writing methods such as Speedwriting, ABC Stenoscript, Speedwriting by Pulis, SuperWrite, and Carter Briefhand are alphabet-based. Forkner, Handywrite, and Abbreviatrix use alphabetical letters with cursive handwriting shapes and semi-phonetic spelling. Vowels are omitted or shown by marks near the written consonants. Among common flaws of these speed writing systems are limited vocabulary and abbreviations are created on a random basis.
For example, Quickhand offers abbreviations for 35 most commonly used words and ABC Stenoscript and SuperWrite provide dictionaries of abbreviations for 4,000 and 5,000 words respectively. For other systems dictionaries of abbreviations are not available. Obviously, utilizing only abbreviations of commonly used words significantly limits the speed writing efficiency. On the other hand, 5,000 abbreviations are still insufficient for business and personal applications.
In addition, randomly created abbreviations will require learning a significant number of randomly created abbreviations assigned to a given word. A method based on memorizing random abbreviations demands more time to study and daily practicing of
all memorized symbols including the ones you haven't used but you might use them in the future. It's unlikely that you will utilize all the memorized symbols on a daily basis and you are able to keep unused abbreviations in your memory. As a result, you cannot use them when needed and the effectiveness of such systems diminishes. Also, randomly selected abbreviations require constant reinforcement to keep them in your memory and limit your ability to use them for larger vocabularies.
The speed writing methods such as Speedwriting, ABC Stenoscript, Speedwriting by Pulis, SuperWrite, and Carter Briefhand have similar abbreviating strategies. We will use ABC Stenoscript versus EasyScript to weigh their abbreviating strategies:
Comparison between EasyScript and ABC Stenoscript
Simple Word Abbreviating Strategies
ABC Stenoscript:
k is assigned to 12 words, b to 15 words, d - 9 words, g - 8 words, pa - 7 words
ABC Stenoscript strategy: Designates abbreviations on a random basis to multiple words. It is difficult to remember one abbreviation for so many words and it will take additional time during the transcription.
EasyScript strategy: Separates words into 5 basic categories such as simple, prefix, suffix, prefix/suffix and compound. Specifies assignment of 1, 2 and 3 character codes to only one specific category (i.e. simple words). Only 2–3 words are assigned to one abbreviation to reduce memorization volume. As a result, this approach increases abbreviation speed and reduces transcription time.
Suffix Words
The following words: cli - ent, cloth - ing, com - ing, com - ment, and count – er
are assigned by the EasyScript to the suffix category (suffixes are shown in bold).
ABC Stenoscript:
k – client, clothing, coming, comment, counter
EasyScript:
cli – ent -> cl - n, cloth – ing -> clo - g, com - ing -> cg, com - ment -> com - m,
count - er -> cour
ABC Stenoscript strategy – creates an abbreviation on a random basis from characters composing the word.
EasyScript strategy – creates a list of suffixes and their corresponding 1 letter abbreviations, divides a suffix word in two syllables the root and suffix (mention - ed, advertise - ment), creates abbreviation by taking 3 first characters out of the root and replacing the suffix with one letter (examples: mentioned - mend, advertisement - advm). Any number of suffix words can be abbreviated using this rule. The rule can be applied to translate an abbreviation to a readable form which reduces the transcription time as opposed to reconstructing the word from random abbreviations.
"I had a need to take fast notes at meetings and on the phone. I have been using Easy Script for several months now, after having received and read "EasyScript Express" book and applied the lessons and practice sessions therein. I started putting the concepts to good use immediately, and have found EasyScript to be a benefit to my work. EasyScript has become a real benefit to my job, as I'm sure you can see. My notes have become more accurate, I'm able to record more detail, and (most importantly) I'm able to write down more necessary information as opposed to doing it with my own abbreviations or in longhand. Thank you for a unique method of fast note taking. It's been a blessing!" – Gayle Nastasi
"I think that this is a great concept. I have previously taken Gregg shorthand and found it to be more work than it was worth. It's great to use the letters from words to make abbreviations. I'll pass EasyScript along to my peers, friends and relatives. It can be useful to almost anyone in any area." – Review from Barnes & Noble
"The EasyScript course is very encouraging. I have used Gregg shorthand for 20+ years. I can combine EasyScript and the brief forms to use it in my note taking." – Jennifer Cote, Washington, DC
For more information about EasyScript and ComputerScript, please click here.
