Contemporary Shorthand

Introduction

Tabor shorthand is contemporary shorthand. It is a method of writing notes by hand to keep pace with the spoken word. It is a method of "pen shorthand" in contrast to "machine shorthand" where an electronic writing machine is used. Pen shorthand is more flexible and appropriate for normal note-taking. Machine shorthand is used particularly in legal court reporting.

Writing notes by hand is simple and fast at any time. This method of "notes by hand" is especially easy to learn and to write because it is derived from, and associated with, the familiar letters of your own script hand-writing.

It is a method of contemporary shorthand which uses simple letter forms and a minimum of abbreviation rules. It is an integrated system with a multilevel approach to writing the spoken word quickly. The system is designed to be written by all categories of people who need shorthand for taking notes.

For the convenience of students, this book is arranged in four parts:

Part One: Fundamental principles of the system. These apply throughout all levels and need to be studied first.

Each of the following Parts is a complete course in itself, but you need to decide which course is appropriate for you.

Part Two: Basic mode, the level used by professional shorthand writers and those who regularly need to make rapid verbatim notes. At this level simplified letters are used, all of which are derived from familiar longhand or print forms and written as single pen-strokes.

Part Three: Alpha-script level, for the general note-taker where very high writing speeds are not required. Familiar longhand letters are written instead of the simplified letters of Basic mode.

Part Four: Keyboard, a special version which can be used by touch-keyboarders who wish to make notes on an electronic QWERTY keyboard. It can be written as pen shorthand in its essential form.

The integrated approach enables two significant features to be applied, a common core of rules for word abbreviation and letter simplification. As a result of years of research this common core of rules has been reduced to a mere handful, but together they cover ways of writing the sounds of the English language.

The second feature, letter simplification, provides a progressive approach enabling everyone to use the system to meet personal needs and way of writing.  All letters are derived from their familiar longhand or print equivalents and are easily written and recognized.

These features set this method apart from other shorthand systems.

Who should read this book

This book is intended for everyone who attends meetings and who writes some form of notes during the meeting. This includes

ü      business meetings, from Board-room to shop-floor

ü      professional meetings, both client / professional and peer groups

ü      meetings of associations and organizations

ü      conferences, workshops and seminars

ü      educational meetings, college, university and high-school classes

In the worlds of journalism, business and education, anyone who attends any kind of meeting will find that this shorthand method is an invaluable way of making quick notes or a record of the discussion for personal use.

The contemporary approach

This method of shorthand is a totally flexible system of writing. For those who take notes frequently, Basic-mode is used. This serves those who regularly need to write verbatim shorthand at speeds in excess of 100 words a minute such as professional journalists, reporters, secretaries and shorthand typists. For the occasional or general user, Alpha-script level enables anyone to more than double their normal speed of writing..

Many people create their own ‘shorthand’; this is usually no more than a personal approach to abbreviating words.  Such abbreviations contain many personal idiosyncrasies and are not intended for general use. This contemporary approach, however, is a total system, a consistent method of writing words and phrases quickly and accurately.

Although the theory can be learned in only a few hours of study, shorthand is essentially a writing skill and, like learning any skill, you will need to practice!  Take every opportunity to write in shorthand; even if you do not have a pen and pencil with you, trace word outlines on your knee or against a book and mentally “write” words you hear or see on signs in shops or in the street.  This will get you into the habit of thinking shorthand and will greatly help you to master the system.

This shorthand method is based on your normal handwriting but at the professional level each letter