Introduction to Shorthand & Phonetic Principles
Discover the phonetic foundation of Pitman English Shorthand: we write what we hear, not what we spell.
Overview
Pitman shorthand was invented by Sir Isaac Pitman in 1837. Unlike longhand English which is plagued by silent letters (like "k" in knife or "b" in doubt), Pitman shorthand is strictly PHONETIC. If a sound is heard, it is written; if it is silent, it is omitted.
Key Rules to Remember
- ✓Shorthand is strictly based on the sound of spoken words.
- ✓Silent letters are completely ignored (e.g. "debt" is written as "d-e-t").
- ✓Consonants provide the skeletal outline; vowels are inserted around the consonants.
- ✓Light sounds are written with light lines; heavy sounds with thick lines.
Detailed Pitman Rules
The Phonetic Principle
Write words strictly by their constituent sounds. For example, "laugh" is written as L + short A + F, because the "gh" sounds like "f".
The Light and Heavy System
Pitman pairs sounds: light sounds (P, T, CH, K, F, TH, S, SH) are drawn thin, while their voiced pairs (B, D, J, G, V, DH, Z, ZH) are drawn thick.
💡 Tip: Use a flexible fountain pen or a steno pencil (grade HB or 2B) to easily produce distinct light and heavy strokes.