Raw Steno

Raw steno is a way to write steno keys, chords, strokes, outlines, translations, entries, and theory rules in text. This page is specifically about the WSI layout - other systems may use different representations.

Keys

Keys are written as their key label. A - signifies which bank a key is from. If the - comes before the key, the key is a final. If it comes after, the key is an initial. Vowels have no -.

Examples: K-, T-, -T, A

Chords and Strokes

Chords and strokes are written with all of the keys in the chord/stroke. If the stroke has keys in the final bank and the stroke has no vowels a - is included in place of the vowels.

Suffix strokes start with a /, such as /-S. These strokes are meant to after other strokes in an outline.

Prefix strokes end with a /, such as OPB/. These strokes are meant to come before other strokes in an outline.

Examples: KWR, TKOG, PW-PB, -F

Outlines

Outlines are written as 1 or more strokes separated by a /. This means that one-stroke outlines look identical to strokes.

HOT/TKO*G
KAT

Orthography

Literal spelling of words should be put in "double quotes" to be distinguished from steno keys.

Pseudo-steno

Pseudo-steno is where chords are turned into the letters they roughly represent, such as TPH- becoming N-.

Thus, TPHAOEUT may become NAIT.

Entries

Dictionary entries can be written as outline -> "translation"

Example: KAT -> "cat"

Theory Rules

To be distinguished from entries, theory rules can use => instead of ->

TPH => /n/