Shorthand

Shorthand, or stenography, any writing system permitting the rapid transcription of speech. Most used today are Speedwriting, which uses abbreviations; (Isaac) Pitman shorthand, the first to be commercially developed (1837); and Gregg shorthand, by John Robert Gregg (published 1888). Pitman and Gregg shorthands are both phonetic, using symbols to represent recurring sounds. Shorthand is much used by secretaries, journalists, and court reporters.

See also: Speedwriting.