logjamislds wrote: shorthand language would be preferable to something that would take more room
When I was 14-15-16, I've learned (and used) shorthand writing.
1. It is language dependent.
Which may be abbreviated only for native English users, who know everything about "Sierra Club", "Forest Service", "judge Robert Parker" and so on."The Sierra Club sued the Forest Service to stop clear-cutting on the National Forests of Texas, and judge Robert Parker decided that clear-cutting "took" red-cockaded woodpeckers within the meaning of the Endangered Species Act."
Which might be abbreviated to:
"Srr Clb sued FS to stp cc on NF's in Texas, v jdg R.P. dcd'd cc "took" RCWs undr ESA."
2. It depends on the person itself. With higher IQ one can abbreviate more expression than one who is a moron.
During decades, I forget everything about it. In fact, I forget to write on paper with pen or pencil. You know, we have computers...
Today, my handwriting is a shorthand writing readable only by me.
OK, my wife can read half of the words and she is able to guess the other half.
OK, she says she can. I never confute her.