Rules for writing certain phonemes (/s/, /z/, /r/, /t/ and /d/) in Pitman New Era shorthand are systematically examined and their frequency of usage estimated. In particular, we identify three types of rule (default rules, other rules and short forms) and suggest correspondences between them and the classification of words in standard English orthography as regular, exception and strange. Twelve experienced shorthand writers wrote to dictation, in shorthand, passages of prose and lists of nonsense words. With real words there were effects of word frequency on percent correct. These were strongest for short forms and weakest for default rules. Nonsense words were less accurately transcribed than real words, and this effect was particularly marked for vocalic /r/. We conclude that lexical effects are just as strong for shorthand (which is taught by explicit rules) as it is for English orthography (where the rules are less systematic). In particular, there is no support for the notion that shorthand systems derive their efficiency from the operation of a non-lexical sound-to-writing route.
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