Personal Shorthand

Personal Shorthand, originally known as Briefhand in the 1950s, is a completely alphabetic shorthand.

Unlike pure symbol shorthand systems (e.g., Gregg, Pitman) and some alphabetic shorthand systems (e.g., Speedwriting, Stenoscript, Stenospeed & Forkner), Personal Shorthand uses only the 26 letters of the alphabet. It can therefore be written cursively, printed, typed, or even used on a computer.

In common with other alphabetic shorthands, Personal Shorthand cannot be written as fast as symbol shorthands. However, learning time is drastically reduced. Students of alphabetic shorthands can acquire a useful shorthand skill (50 to 60 wpm) in a single school term, compared to a year or more for symbol systems.

Personal Shorthand theory is presented in 10 lessons, after which review and practice can lead to writing speeds of 60 to 100 words per minute.

Authors of the contemporary version of Personal Shorthand are Carl W. Salser, C. Theo Yerian, and Mark R. Salser.

Publisher, ERA Learning/National Book Co