Throughout the ages shorthand has undergone a constant process of evolution and improvement and at the peak of that evolution stood the system known as Gregg shorthand, the finest and best system that had yet been given to the world. Shorthand is an art-science whose beginnings date back to the time of the great Roman civilization, and was used for reporting debates in the Roman Senate as early as the year 63 BC.

It has been held in highest esteem by kings and emperors, and many great men have acknowledged their indebtness to shorthand as an important factor

in their success. ANTHONY ZARB DIMECH explains

Gregg shorthand, which was first published in 1888 by John Robert Gregg was influenced by the handwriting shapes introduced by Gabelsberger. Gregg’s shorthand, like Pitman’s, is phonetic, but has the simplicity of being “light-line.” Pitman’s system uses thick and thin strokes to distinguish related sounds, while Gregg’s uses only thin strokes and makes some of the same distinctions by the length of the stroke. Pitman shorthand is still in widespread use in the US, but althouugh it was extremely popular at first and is still commonly used, especially in the UK and some other parts of the world, it has been largely recplaced by Gregg shorthand.

During April 1929, George John Ransley (1900-1983) started a publication in Maltese shorthand and typewriting in the form of a monthly magazine, titled MELITA, Gurnal ta’ cull xahar ghat-Taghlim ta’ L-Istenografija (GREGG) Maltija u Ingliza u ta’ Materji Ohra. The course was titled, Cors ghat-taghlim tal-Istenografija Maltija u ghall-chitba bit-typewriter.

In the shorthand course, Ransley adapted the British system, Gregg shortand, to the Maltese language. Later on, in 1935, he published another book on the same subject titled, Ransely Shorthand bl-Ingliz u bil-Malti as a follow up and updated second edition.

Ransely was a civil servant who had joined the service in 1919. He served in the joint war committee of the British Red Cross Society during the First World War, and was chosen as personal assistant to the naval inspecting accountant officer of the Mediterranean Fleet and then served as Secretary to the Malta Police between 1929 and 1941. Between 1960 and 1966, Ransley served on several philanthropic and govnermental boards and committees, both local and foreign. Ransley was also the recipient of several awards and nominations.

Because there was a lack of efficient writers in Maltese shorthand, Members of Parliament, before the publication of the Maltese shorthand course, had to speak, many a time, and quite reluctantly either in English or Italian in Parliament. The value of the Maltese language during this period was being felt as never before.

This fact is reflected in the words of the Minister for Education in 1929, Hon. Prof. Sir Augustus Bartolo, in the course of a debate on the use of the Maltese language in legal proceedings. Sir A. Bartolo said that the reason he was not going to speak in Maltese as he did on other occasions was simply and solely, not because he would be at any great disadvantage or find any great difficulty at all in expressing himself in Maltese on that point, but merely because that it was unacceptable that the shorthand writer found it difficult to keep up with him when he spoke in his native language.

“It is humanely impossible”, he continued, “to take down a speech of mine in Maltese and translate it at the same time into English or Italian in order to record it in shorthand, but I must say that to cope with this obstacle we are trying to find the means to impose the resolution which was passed unanimously at a previous legislature on my motions in order that speeches delivered in Maltese be taken down in Maltese and a system is being evolved for the purpose.”

During this period German children at the age of 4½ and 5 were learning to read and write shorthand before they learned longhand. Ransely states in his book that there is no reason why we should not encourage our children to learn shorthand at an early age. Shorthand provides not only joy of achievement but also the added joy of achievement under stress of speed. He also recommended that before learning shorthand in Maltese they should have a good knowledge of the Maltese language. For this purpose he stronlgy recommended the book by G. Vassallo, entitled, L’Ortografia Maltese (written in Italian).

It was in October/November 1929 that the Maltese government introduced the Maltese language as an obligatory subject for civil servants as well as a subject eligible for the study of shorthand both for clerks and auxiliary clerks. The government of the time was also considering the introduction of shorthand as an optional subject for government employment. This subject was considered as invaluable for taking notes during committee meetings, in the law courts, police investigations and a host of other matters.

The founder and principal of Flores College, Mr. R. Flores was the first to introduce Gregg Shorthand in his college. He passed away on 8 September 1929.

This drive to introduce and adapt shorthand to the Maltese language received mention in the Gregg Writer (American) for September 1929. Mr. Ransley was also congratulated on his excellent piece of work.

“The newest comer to the field of stenographic press is The Melita Gregg Shorthand Magazine, published on the island of Malta by Mr. George J. Ransley. As always, it is with pleasure that we greet the newcomer, especially because in this case on opening the magazine our eyes are greeted by the same graceful and familiar curves to be found in our own magazine.

Mr. Ransely, in introducing the Melita Gregg Shorthand Magazine says: “We make our bow - and without apology – for the object of our existence is the application of shorthand to our mother tongue – the Maltese language – which, all arguments to the contrary notwithstanding, is very much alive”.

Mr. Ransley also started a bi-monthly shorthand competition in his magazine. This competition was based on the lessons that had already been learnt by the students. The prize was 5 shillings for the first placed student and 2 shillings 6 pence for the second placed student. The winners had to show proficiency in the size of the signs and symbols, their accuracy with regards to curvature and joining, and speed. The participants were to be sent in their coupon and completed test to Mr. Ransley at 58 Sda. Sta. Maria Nru. 58 Sliema and marked Gara tal-istenografija. The results were published in the magazine.

The winners of the first competition in Maltese shorthand were: First Prize Paolo Buhagiar from H’Attard. Second Prize George P. Gregory from Sliema

Another paper submitted by Giuseppe Mercieca from Isla (Senglea) was highly praised.

Indeed, the introduction and adaption of the Gregg shorthand system in 1929 was one of the landmarks in the history of the Maltese language that helped in no small way both private and public organizations in their administrative work.