The following table maps the conventional A–Z letters to their Pitman consonant strokes. Note that some letters (e.g., C, Q, X) have no unique stroke; they are represented by other sounds.
The Pitman shorthand alphabet, when understood from A to Z, is not a substitute for English letters but a completely different phonetic mapping. Its power lies in the systematic pairing of light/heavy strokes, simple curves and lines, and positional vowel notation. For learners in the 21st century, the PDF format is indispensable—it preserves the visual fidelity of the strokes, enables pressure-sensitive practice, and provides a portable, searchable reference. Mastering the 24 consonant strokes and their vowel modifiers is the essential first step toward achieving speeds of 100+ words per minute. pitman shorthand alphabet a to z pdf
to represent the 24 simple spoken consonant sounds in English. These are divided into straight lines ( explodents ) and curves ( continuants Britannica Sound Category Phonetic Name Description of Stroke Explodents P, B, T, D, Ch, J, K, G The following table maps the conventional A–Z letters
In traditional English, we have 26 letters. In Pitman, consonants are represented by thick and thin strokes (to differentiate voiced vs. unvoiced pairs). The direction of the line (straight or curved) and the pressure of the pen matter. Its power lies in the systematic pairing of
The Foundations of Phonetic Compression: A Study of the Pitman Shorthand Alphabet (A–Z) and the Utility of Digital PDF Resources
Learning Pitman shorthand requires practice and dedication, but with the right resources and techniques, you can become proficient in this efficient method of writing. Here are some tips to get you started: