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Simson Shorthand

Simson Shorthand is a science topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand Simson Shorthand rather than just read about it. In short: Simson Shorthand is a system of shorthand invented by James Simson, originally published in his 1881 book, Compend of Syllabic Shorthand: Being a Synopsis of the System, and in more detail in his books, Syllabic Shorthand (1883). At least three versions of the latter were published; the third edition being published in 1885 under the title Manual of Syllabic Shorthand.

Key takeaways

  • Simson Shorthand belongs to science; place it in that map before memorising details.
  • Learn the definition first, then one example that makes the definition concrete.
  • Connect Simson Shorthand to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
  • Reproduce the core statement of Simson Shorthand from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

Simson Shorthand is a system of shorthand invented by James Simson, originally published in his 1881 book, Compend of Syllabic Shorthand: Being a Synopsis of the System, and in more detail in his books, Syllabic Shorthand (1883). At least three versions of the latter were published; the third edition being published in 1885 under the title Manual of Syllabic Shorthand. The 1885 book describes the system on its title page as "A system of brief writing by syllabic characters, based on the common alphabet, and written according to the sounds of spoken language." The syllabic nature would make for a resemblance to Boyd's Syllabic Shorthand, though unlike Boyd's system, the consonants are always written in the same direction, with modifications being made by bold lining, half-size writing, and other such alterations. Describing it as "based on the common alphabet" would imply a resemblance to ABC systems such as Speedwriting, but in fact the symbols appear to be more in the nature of symbolic systems such as Gregg.

References

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with Simson Shorthand

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what Simson Shorthand claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In science, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to Simson Shorthand before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about Simson Shorthand ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of Simson Shorthand

In research
Simson Shorthand appears in science research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry
Engineering practice reuses Simson Shorthand in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom
Simson Shorthand is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Shorthand systems, Writing system stubs, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life
Look for Simson Shorthand outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.

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How to study Simson Shorthand in 20 minutes

  1. Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
  2. Close the page and write down what Simson Shorthand means in your own words.
  3. Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
  4. Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
  5. Explain Simson Shorthand out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is Simson Shorthand in simple terms?

Simson Shorthand is a system of shorthand invented by James Simson, originally published in his 1881 book, Compend of Syllabic Shorthand: Being a Synopsis of the System, and in more detail in his books, Syllabic Shorthand (1883). At least three versions of the latter were published; the third editi…

Why does Simson Shorthand matter?

Because it connects several science ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study Simson Shorthand?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on Simson Shorthand.

Tags

  • Shorthand systems
  • Writing system stubs

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