A Few Simple Simplified Questions ;)

There are quite a few little things I’ve noticed in reading the material provided in the simplified manual, and I was wondering about them..

First, when does O blend with L to make it an L with a little sideways hook on the left end? Does it also blend with R?

When writing -sn as an ending, I find it’s less ambiguous to use the left comma s, but in the manual they always use the right comma s instead. Anyone have any idea why this is?

When using the midword w stroke (in words like twice, quite, etc) is it angled more like an n or a t? I’ve seen both and as I’m paranoid about readability, I’d like to know what to shoot for 😛

Finally, also regarding the midword w stroke, would I use it in words that are compounds like ‘age-wise’ and spell it a-jay-long A(w stroke underneath)-s, or spell it like it was two words attached and do a-jay-w-long A-s?

Thanks 8) I’m really enjoying shorthand more now that I’ve gotten over my stigma against word-outlines and’ve adapted the affixes and brief forms I’ve learned. 

(by erik for everyone)


Previous post:
Next post:
8 comments Add yours
  1. Those are great questions!   In Simplified, Anniv, and Pre-Anniv Gregg, the o-hook always turns sideways before forward characters: r, l, m, n.  In general, the o-hook doesn't turn sideways if it is part of a phrase.  So the word "or" is written o-r, with the hook sideways, and the phrase "of our", is written o-r, with the hook in the upward direction.  Another example: "known" = n-o hook sideways-n, but "no one" = "n-o hook upwards-n".  Pretty cool, eh?   There is a reason for using the right s in the ending -sn.  The convention is that you use right s to start syllables, and left s to end syllables.  So, you would write the word "instead" as "in-std", with the right s, because the s belongs to the last syllable (in-stead).  You would write the word "mesmerize" as "mes-m-rais", with left s on both s sounds (mes-mer-ize).  There is an exception to the rule: you use a left s to start a syllable only if it is before p, b, r, or l, because if you use a right s it won't join correctly with a circle vowel  in the middle.   Another consideration: if a circle vowel precedes the s, the s belongs to the previous consonant; if the circle vowel follows the s, the s belongs to the following consonant.  For example:  "mist" = m-i-left s-t (since "s" ends the syllable); "ransack" = "ran-right s-a-k" (since "s" starts the syllable).   The mark for "w" is a short horizontal line under the vowel (like an n).   In regards to the -wise ending, if the compound word is hyphenated, you should write them separately, with the hyphen mark.  If they are together, you would write it all as a single word because it's faster, with the -ai- circle and the little w mark under it for legibility.  This generally holds true, except for the word "likewise" which is a brief form, and is written with a double circle (and left s).   I hope this helps.  Ask away if you have any questions.

  2. Sorry. I got my Ss mixed up when posting my question. The manual will use the S that curves to the left (so I guess the left S) making it look like (_ for -sn instead of )_ which is how I've been writing it. I just finished having this whole fiasco because I thought I'd been doing it all wrong using the right S to start syllables and such because I thought it was called the left S etc (the ends point to the left!)… I got it all figured out now anyway 😉 That whole left S at the ends of syllables thing is new to me, though. I'd've written mesmerize with two right Ss simply because I think it's easier to read, but the dictionary (and a seasoned writer such as yourself) say it's a left S, so I suppose it's something to be learned, as well as a matter of being consistent.

    The O thing definitely makes sense. It strikes me as another example of Gregg's ingeniousness to make everything work smoothly, which I also experienced when I learned that "in" wasn't "e-n" because that meant "when", and a variety of other "oh so that's why it's like that" moments 🙂 (like is l-a because l-ai is lie, etc) It certainly seems logical that if characters that would normally blend aren't, then they're whole words themselves instead of just sounds.

    I do have a question though. How am I to write ai-left S without making the ai look like ai-vowel? I can't seem to help but end up making an additional little circle inside of it when trying to do the left S instead of the right one.

    And another one just dawned on me =P How are the vowel pairs in words like tedious and trivia represented? The dictionary doesn't seem to help as it either uses a bizarre brief form (every word seems to have one) or a vowel that wouldn't be generally applicable to other words with the ee + schwa sound. What do you recommend?

    Thanks again for sharing your knowledge with those of us who still have a long way to go =)

  3. One writes ai-left s by dividing the vowel circle in two and ending the stroke when the line gets out of the circle.  This is how is done: (1) Slowly, trace a counterclockwise circle, starting at the top of the circle.  (2) When you complete the circle, keep moving the pen, but now divide the circle in the middle with a curve motion and cross it at the bottom point to have your left s.  Lift the pen at the end.  Check your dictionary for the word "ice".  It should give you the idea.   With respect to the diphtongs -ious and -ia, those will come in a later lesson, but I will tell you.  The -ious is made up by "u-right s", with right s not blending with the u.  The -ia diphthong is an "a" circle with a dot inside.  You will see that.

  4. In one of my Gregg Writer magazines (April 1930 — no, I'm not that old), I found this poem.   ——————-   S and Th Rules By:  Jean F. Johnson   A little s sat on an f And perfectly agreed; Because the s goes with the curve This rule is safe indeed.   The s joins t, d, n, and m, To make the sharpest angle. A circle vowel alters naught — (How is the ng in wangle?)   An s attached to sh, ch, j Goes with the right-turn movement, We change this with the prefix sub, Sometimes with great improvement.   In words consisting of the s Or th with circles lonely — And combinations of them both — We use right-motion only.   When joined to o or r or l, We'll make no sorry blunder By using the left-motion th — Likewise in thumb, thump, thunder!   In words beginning with so, As soda, soap, and sorrow — Be sure to use right-motion s And trouble you'll not borrow.   Beware the combination us — Used with the angle minus, In us and bus and fuss and gust — But not in dust and sinus!   Both medial and final x By s are represented — But modified in slight degree — By turn of wrist accented.   Use left s with p, b, r, l, Before and likewise after, And after t, d, n, m, o — And that concludes this chapter!   ——————-   Pretty clever.

  5. I have another question 😛 I recently learned about the -ng and -nk letters, as well as the brief form for "think". So, if I wanted to write "thinking", would I write the brief form with two dots, or write out "under ith, i, nk, ng dot"? Would "thinks" be "over ith, detached s"?

    Thanks =)

  6. Yes, you are correct.  Here are the forms for think, thing, and thank derivatives.  In general, you keep the brief form.  Notice the difference in the position of the dots.        

  7. Thanks tons Chuck 🙂 If only I'd known that "thinking" one, I'd've included it on my page of doodles! It screams to be made into a little pacman ghost.

Leave a Reply