Advantages of Keyscript
- Keyscript is based on, and has all the advantages of the Pitman phonetic system of shorthand. This means that it does not rely on the memorisation of abbreviations, but rather on a few simple general rules. But because Keyscript introduces no new symbols, it is much easier and quicker to learn than conventional Pitman.
- In Keyscript, unlike Pitman shorthand, because ordinary letters are used, we do not have to worry about whether symbols and signs can physically join. Thus, we can write words according to rule only and we can free up the system to use joining (phrasing) and non-joining of words to show meaning. This makes Keyscript easy to read and also increases the speed at which it can be written.
- Keyscript is eminently suitable for taking notes from both speech and printed material. It is an ideal tool for students. Keyscript can be used in many business and non-business situations either as a handwritten or typed shorthand. Journalists and minute takers will prove its benefits. Diarists will appreciate its swift and secret script.
- It is also an important aid to speed and facility in audio and general typing (directly using AutoCorrect© in Microsoft Word).
- Used as a keyboard shorthand, Keyscript provides the capacity for very high speed writing at relatively low typing speeds. For example, a 60 word per minute typist could type shorthand at 150 words per minute.
How quick is it to learn? Because there are no new forms of writing to learn, the time taken to learn the symbols of Pitman Shorthand and to practise writing them is not relevant to Keyscript because it is a fully alphabetical system. With Keyscript, one does not have to worry, either, about position writing, or light and heavy strokes. Most people already know how to write the letters of the alphabet. This saves time. There are still rules about how words are formed, but each rule applies to many, many words so the writing becomes automatic in time.
It is possible, also, comparing Keyscript with longhand, that there could be two more ways which make Keyscript quicker. One is the obvious way: Each word in Keyscript has an average of considerably less than two letters. The other emanates directly from this. There are fewer letters to think about when writing words, so the mind is not burdened.
The 'Lightning Guide to Keyscript' consists of nine stages. Each stage could be mastered in a week with careful study. After the 'Lightning Guide', there is the 'Advanced Guide to Keyscript', which, in seven additional stages, revises rules already learned, adds some extra important rules and special forms and gives extensive practice in writing Keyscript.
Is Keyscript as effective as Pitman? With practice, especially when keyboarding, Keyscript could be just as quick, even quicker, and more readable, than Pitman Shorthand. I once met a lady who could type at 90 words per minute. This means that, if trained, she could write Keyscript at 225 words per minute, maybe more. What must not be overlooked, though, is Keyscript's usefulness as a handwritten shorthand. You write only 40%, often fewer, of the letters used to write longhand. Readability is a function of regularity in forming words and meaningful phrasing, and in these departments, Keyscript stands out. Pitman has to worry about whether the strokes make a good joining, so it is less regular in its formation of words and not as meaningful in its phrasing.
