Analyses of Gregg Diamond Jubilee shorthand and South-Western Century 21 shorthand

This study compared the descriptive characteristics and memory load of Gregg Diamond Jubilee shorthand and South-Western Century 21 shorthand. The systems were compared by the identical, similar, and unique descriptive characteristics. . The memory loads were compared using highfrequency words, running shorthand-countable words, and the textbook usage of high-frequency words.

Memory load was determined by decision points--any facet in the construction of the shorthand outline that requires knowledge beyond the shorthand alphabet letters (single-letter vowel, consonant, and consonant digraph symbols) to construct a dictionary-correct outline.

The first 1,000 high-frequency Mellinger words were analyzed on two levels: methods of writing and textually declared and undeclared principles. Each level was described by frequency, syllabic intensity, and stroke count. Overall shorthand stroke averages were determined at the 100-, 500-, and 1,000-word groups. Usage models were developed from weighted Mellinger frequencies for the 100-, 500-, and 1,000-word groups. Three thousand shorthand-countable words were analyzed using the format followed in the l,000 high-frequency word analysis.

The shorthand-countable words of the college-level beginning shorthand textbooks of the two systems were keypunched onto computer cards. A computer program accumulated three tallies: presented words, connectedcopy words, and total-copy words. The place of word introductions and points of word introductions (word numbers) were recorded, A ratio for the points of introductions was established for each of the l,000 words, and the results were reported by probability levels. The relationship of textbook usage to business usage of the 1,000 Mellinger words was determined by absolute percentage deviations from adjusted Mellinger frequencies.

Based on the findings of this study, the following conclusions related to the statement of the problem were made:

1. The knowledge of one shorthand system (Gregg DJ or SW Century 21) contributes substantially to the acquisition of knowledge in the other system as reflected in similarities of memory words, shorthand alphabetic components, and textually declared and undeclared principles.

2. Within the first 1,000 Mellinger words, the memory load as defined in this study is lower for SW Century 2l shorthand than for Gregg DJ shorthand. The lower memory load is accomplished without an increase in the average shorthand stroke count.

3. Within the 3,000 running shorthand-countable words, the memory load as defined in this study is lower for SW Century 21 shorthand than for Gregg DJ shorthand. The lower memory load is accomplished without an increase in the average shorthand stroke count.

4. The SW Century 2l beginning college-level shorthand textbook provides better utilization of the entire 1,O00 Mellinger word list than does the Gregg DJ beginning college-level shorthand textbook. Of those words from the Mellinger list that appear in the textbooks of the two systems, however, no distinguishable differences occur in their textbook use.