Learn Shorthand with Free Lessons & Tips

Pitman shorthand is a method of quickly and efficiently writing down spoken words using a set of phonetic symbols. One of the key features of Pitman shorthand is the use of different strokes and loops to represent different sounds. In this lesson, we will focus on the strokes and loops that represent the consonant sounds p, b, t, d, ch, and j.

P Stroke:

The P stroke is a vertical line drawn downward. It is used to represent the consonant sound "p", as in "pat" or "park".

B Stroke:

The B stroke is a vertical line drawn downward with a small loop at the top. It is used to represent the consonant sound "b", as in "bat" or "book". 

T Stroke:

The T stroke is a horizontal line drawn from left to right. It is used to represent the consonant sound "t", as in "ted" or "tap".

D Stroke:

The D stroke is a horizontal line drawn from left to right with a small downward stroke at the end. It is used to represent the consonant sound "d", as in "dog" or "dent". 

Ch and J Strokes:

The Ch and J strokes are both made up of two parts. The first part is a shallow curve drawn downward and to the right.

The second part is a vertical line drawn downward from the end of the curve. The Ch stroke represents the sound "ch" as in "chat" or "chip", while the J stroke represents the sound "j" as in "jump".

In conclusion, Pitman shorthand represents various consonant sounds with strokes and loops. You can rapidly and accurately translate spoken words into written text by mixing these symbols with vowel sounds.