Hi all,
Just wanted to say, “hello” as I’ve returned to my shorthand studies and it’s been many years since I posted here (maybe ten years?) I haven’t stopped using and writing shorthand since then, but lately I’ve been thinking about doing more research into shorthand theory and pedagogy. I’m really happy the group is still here; it used to be the only one I knew about, but now there seem to be several groups online. Thanks to Carlos for staying at the helm all these years! I look forward to reading and sharing with the group from time to time. ~Br Brendan (Michael Tumilty)
Nice to see you back!
Welcome home! I'm looking forward to you posting what you learn from your research into shorthand theory!
Hi! We're always up for some discussions of theory! Which version of Gregg do you use?
Hello, and thanks for the welcome words! It's good to be back. To answer David's question, I write Anniversary and dabble in the 1916 Manual. Lately I have been reading Gregg's "Basic Principles" to try to get inside the mind of the man who developed the system. I also found Anderson's "History of Shorthand" which I hope to find time to peruse.
I have an idea to do some vocab comparison between the 1916 and 1930 dictionaries, just to study the abbreviating principle a bit more. It seems that it is this principle especially that keeps the intellect actively engaged when reading and writing shorthand, as an abbreviated form 'points you in the right direction' but the intellect and memory must select the right word by relying on the context. After all, the word "intellect" is from the Latin, "intellegere" which can mean, at its root, to choose from among several different things. (inter+legere).
After Gregg's death and the demand for shorthand became so widespread, it seems that there was pressure on the publishers to move towards more explicitly spelled forms and away from a vigorous use of the abbreviating principle, as the later systems scaled back (but did not eliminate) the use of this. It's hard to say if it was the growth of machine stenography that caused this, or the growth of shorthand use in the everyday business environment and less in the courtroom. Maybe it was caused a little by all these changes.
Either way, abbreviation is at the heart of every shorthand system, especially our beloved Gregg, and it's in the art of abbreviation that the creativity of J.R. Gregg really shone. So, in a way, I'm hoping to get back to basics and study more about the principles that the system needs to employ to the degree that it is used for greater speed in writing.
Hello!
I’m using French Gregg without a dictionary so I have to create forms all the time. I try to do it in the same spirit as it is done in the French adaptation of English Gregg, so I’m interested by your opinion about brief forms.