Over
Longhand
Keyscript
saves 60% or more of the writing over longhand.
Keyscript
does not use capital letters. There is
never the need to use the shift key.
Keyscript
spelling is phonetic and regular. We do not have to worry about the vagaries of English spelling while taking
dictation.
Keyscript
uses regular phrasing, which reduces the number of spaces between words.
Keyscript
uses less punctuation than longhand.
Over
other alphabetical systems
Keyscript
saves more of the writing than the other alphabetical shorthands (see Compare Alpha Shorthands). The average word, written in context, is less than two letters long.
Keyscript
does not use any random keyboard signs such as \ - & = or capital letters.
Keyscript
uses phrasing, or joining of words together, based on meaning. This makes Keyscript both quicker to write
and easier to read. Most other alpha
systems do not use phrasing at all.
In
Keyscript, we normally write the whole word (in abbreviated form, according
to the rules) compared with some systems which leave out random letters. The spelling of a word is fixed in
Keyscript. These characteristics also
greatly aid reading.
There
is no limit on the number of words which can be abbreviated, as in some
systems.
Keyscript
is based on the English language (compared with Dutton Speedwords).
Keyscript
uses limited punctuation, only full stop (or period) . & comma , which is
used in place of a question mark.
Over
symbol systems
Keyscript
does not need any special type of writing instrument or even lined paper.
Keyscript
can also be typed on a keyboard.
There
are no symbols or modified forms of letters to learn. Almost everyone already knows how to write the letters of the
English alphabet.
There
is no position writing, thick and thin letters, or different size letters.
Because
ordinary lower case letters always make good joins with each other, there is no
need to write down the page or cope with awkward joinings.
Over
Pitman Shorthand
Words are not joined together just because they are easy
to join or left unjoined because they are hard to join. There is no need to modify letters to make
them join better. So joining can be
freed up to echo the natural rhythm of the English language, hence to show
meaning.
Keyscript takes all the fussy bits out of Pitman Shorthand
and still leaves it readable. For
example, the endings of different words which in Pitman would all be written
slightly differently, employing either thick or thin strokes, ordinary length
or halved strokes and different types of hooks can all be shown with one
letter, provided that the rules of Keyscript are observed.
Keyscript regularises Pitman. No spelling is randomly modified just to make it shorter. Instead, the spelling conforms to the rules
of Keyscript, which are themselves all designed to make words as short and as
readable as possible.
Please note that I respectfully acknowledge the inventors, their creative work, insight and expertise which has gone into producing all systems of shorthand and speedwriting. I do not intend to denigrate any system. Keyscript Shorthand is based on Pitman's system only.