The answer to this "Million Dollar Question" is:
DO NOT TRY TO REMEMBER GRAMMALOGUES !
Yes, It is a common misconception amongst shorthand aspirants; they think shorthand grammalogues are to be learned by heart. But the fact is NO ! One does not need to cram and try to remember all of the shorthand grammalogues.
In Pitman Shorthand English Stenography course there are atleast 250 symbolic short forms aka grammalogues. It is obviously not an easy task to remember all these...
BUT, Then another legitimate question arises i.e 'How would a stenographer be able to increase shorthand dictation writing speed' if he is not able to remember all the shorthand grammalogues ???
Now, the answer to such a question can be explained through the "analogy of a Typist":
Ever seen a typist typing on a keyboard ? Ask any Typist whether he remembers all the keys of the keyboard ?? He will probably say, "NO ! It is quite difficult to remember all the key positions of the keyboard..."
So, how is it that a Typist can type at such high-speeds without even remembering the key positions on the keyboard ? The answer is 'Practice' !
Consistent Typing practice builds 'Finger Reflexes' by virtue of which the fingers of a typist adapts to the consistent pressing of keys and learns the pattern of keys. Such a phenomena is known as 'Motor Memory'
In quite a similar manner, a Shorthand writer has to develop a way to remember the grammalogues instantly while taking dictations. See, note-making is a game of speed, so having fast reflexes is an essential prerequisite to become an expert stenographer.
Some Important Tips to Remember Grammalogues Easily :
1. Consistent Practice : Write atleast 5 Dictation exercises in a day. The more you incorporate and use shorthand grammalogues/ symbols/ contractions/ etc. in a dictation, the more these short forms will be etched in your memory.
2. Create Personalized Shorthand : Sometimes creating your own shorthand symbols for common words or phrases can be easier to remember because they're tailored to your own associations and preferences.
3. Understand the logic of Sounds : In the Pitman Shorthand Course, while going through the chapters of the syllabus, a student may notice that these grammalogue symbols in a particular chapter are being derived from the related sounds of the very topic you are studying !
Group similar grammalogues together based on their shapes or sounds. This can make it easier to remember them as you're associating them with broader patterns.
Hope, this helps :)
Read more from our blog articles:
