Can anybody translate this shorthand?

[angeldelightforbreakfast]

(Light hearted)My mother thinks she has the upper hand because for thirty years none of us have been able to read her secret notes. She doesn't agree that modern day technology can foil her attempts to write in code.

Can anyone break the code?

Looks like Pitman?

I did Teeline and can still use it/read it but I doubt I could read someone else's very well now. My gran did Pitman as a secretary years and years ago, but I think most places that still teach shorthand use Teeline as it's faster to learn (but conversely you don't get quite the speeds you can with Pitman). I'm sure there will be some Pitman readers/writers here though!

I got my 100wpm Teeline certificate during journalism training and I do still use it when I'm on the phone or at a conference or something and want to take notes. My chief reporter used to always say that it should be clear enough that if I was hit by a bus, someone could read my notes. But I pointed out that if I was hit by a bus, I hoped I'd be the story

It's been many years since I did shorthand but I'm interested to see if anyone can translate - but it's so hard as each person's shorthand is unique to them.

Could the first word be present?

Definitely Pitman. The middle letter that looks like a flat U is "in".

Google Pitmans shorthand translator, that might help you.

Your mum sounds good fun!

I think it's divulging the location of some christmas presents? The first bit looks like 'The presents are in....?

Shorthand is a skill i wish i had learned before uni. I'm sure i would still use it now.

First one says present in (phonetically and it is capitalised) ch (or j) o (as in not) t then ee

Second one clothes or cloths in (again capitalised) ch a (as in bat) ths.

Does that make any sense to you?

It is Pitman! I studied it some 40 years ago so am very rusty but the first line looks like "present for Judy" (?is that likely? the double lines under the third symbol means it should begin with a capital letter so likely to be a name).

The second line is more difficult as shorthand is so personal. The first symbol looks like the consonants c-l-fs or v-l-fs or g-l-fs or g-l-vs (but not cl- or gl- unless she has adopted her own style of shorthand), the next word is "for" and the third symbol is again likely to be a name with possible consonants Ch/Sh-n-ths.

Sorry that's all a bit random, but it is very difficult to read someone else's shorthand!

I did shorthand at secondary school and use it everyday at work and at home. I'm like your mum and write myself secret notes!!

ETA c-l-fs or c-l-vs

The presents are hidden in the wardrobe!!! Pretty certain!!

Definitely not "wardrobe"!!!

Totally different from the others, it reminds me of Teeline and could be something like

'Also what Portion will be of Jewels'

That doesn't make sense so can"t be right but it might help.

I agree that the first word is 'present', but I think the second might be 'for', although I agree that it does look like 'in'. Because the last word of each phrase has the double dot underneath, I think they're people's names - the first one looks as if it begins with 'Ch'.

The last word looks like 'closet' (= wardrobe)

Sorry SheSaid but it's definitely not closet either.

Pitman's but I haven't used it since about 1981 and have forgotten. I never got beyond using the thick and thin lines either, I used a special wet ink pen. Your Mum's personal style is a bit more loose than mine ever was.

I've got a Pitman's dictionary somewhere if I could find it out and translate that way.

No, @SheSaidHummingbird, not wardrobe. "W" is like a j or ch, but with a hook on the bottom left.

The consonants for that last word are j or ch, n, th and s. Unless she's combined some short forms to make a phrase, in which case the last symbol, that looks like a 6, could be "thanks".

Off track but is shorthand taught anymore? You never hear of ‘secretarial college’ but that was a big thing in my day .

creeps upstairs and takes a peek in the wardrobe/closet just to make sure...

Could the first word on 2nd line be "gloves". I know it should be a g/l hook but perhaps it's not written quite right. Looks like g/l/vs for Jns - Janice?

Oh wow, you guys are genius! Thanks to you, I now know who my mum has brought a secret want present for! Haha, this has really made me laugh, and yes...she is good fun lol

*secret Santa present that should have read!

Tell us what it says OP!