Yes, shorthand is still taught, though its prevalence and application have shifted significantly, particularly within the business world.
The Continued Availability of Shorthand Education
Despite technological advancements, the skill of shorthand remains accessible for those interested in learning it. You can still find opportunities to study shorthand through various modern educational channels:
- Online courses: Numerous online platforms offer comprehensive shorthand lessons, allowing individuals to learn at their own pace from anywhere.
- Local colleges: Many community colleges and vocational institutions continue to include shorthand in their curriculum, often as part of secretarial, administrative, or journalism programs.
This ongoing availability demonstrates that shorthand, while perhaps not as universally practiced as it once was, is certainly not a lost art when it comes to instruction.
Factors Influencing Shorthand's Decline in Business
While teaching persists, the use of shorthand, particularly in corporate environments, has seen a considerable decline. This shift is primarily due to the rise of new technologies that offer alternative, more direct methods of documentation:
- Dictation machines: The invention and widespread adoption of dictation machines allowed executives and managers to record their thoughts and correspondence directly, reducing the need for a human stenographer to take notes in real-time.
- Personal computers and laptops: The advent of personal computing devices, coupled with user-friendly word processing software, empowered professionals to compose and edit their own documents directly. This eliminated the intermediary step of dictating to a shorthand writer for transcription.
Consequently, while shorthand remains a valuable skill for specific professions, such as court reporting or high-speed note-taking in certain fields, its role as a standard business practice for everyday correspondence has diminished.
Evolution of Business Communication Methods
The table below illustrates the shift in communication practices within the business world, highlighting why shorthand's primary role has evolved:
| Aspect | Traditional Business Practice (Shorthand Era) | Modern Business Practice (Post-Shorthand Decline) |
|---|---|---|
| Document Creation | Dictation to a secretary/stenographer | Direct typing/voice-to-text by the author |
| Key Tools | Shorthand notebooks, dictaphones | Personal computers, laptops, smartphones, dictation software |
| Efficiency Driver | High-speed manual recording & transcription | Direct digital input & automation |
| Common Users | Secretaries, administrative assistants | Executives, managers, all office staff |
