W. J. Hughes

“ It ought to be economical. Why should not a easily-formed system of simple geometric signs be used instead of the expensive Roman letters? Why should the sound of the letter M, for instance, require so much material for its representation? The tendency of the times is ever towards simplicity and economy, in language as all other things, and as well in the manner in which words are written as in their number and length. ”

“ When spoken sounds represent ideas, according to any system of language, their enunciation is made with an economy of time and labor commensurate with and corresponding to to their proper formation. An idea is formed. Instantly the tongue forms the appropriate sounds to convey the idea, which is apprehended when the sounds are heard. It is not necessary in oral communications in a familiar language to individualize and separate the constituent sounds of a word, and give detailed expression to each. ”

“ The sounds of the separate letters are spoken in their entirety as words. But in the written representation of a language it is entirely different. There, the elements of each expresion, represented by signs corresponding to the vocal sounds, are considered necessary to be given in their primary form, as each letter in the spoken language might be separately sounded. In other words, there is an elementary method of speaking, as there is an elementary method of writing a language. ”

“ Various systems of shorthand have been used to some extent during the past few years in Volapük correspondence, but their entire unsuitability for the purpose is apparent. The unique structure of Volapük demands an entirely new system, sui generis.
That attention has been given to the subject by Vpans. is shown by the fact that at the present time there are at least three systems of Volapük stenography extant.
The first system of which the writer has any knowledge is that of H. Roller (Berlin, 1885.) It is entitled "Rollera Stenogaf pegeböl plo Volapük." ”

“ The system should allow the highest necessary degree of speed without excessive labor, still maintaining legibility unimpaired, for legibility is practically useless if it is attained at the expense of brevity and vice versa. ”

“ As the language, even if it shall be adopted to the extent that its most sanguine promoters expect and all Vpans. hope, will have greater curreney as a written than as a spoken language, the manner of its representation in writing becomes highly important. ”

“ While from the above partial and somewhat exalted view of the-subject it would appear that there is possibility of improving the manner of writing Volapük, it is questionable, on the other hand, whether any plan depending upon the restricted simple geometric signs could be made sufficiently facile to be practical. ”