Reginald J. G. Dutton
Inventor of Dutton Speedwords, a shorthand and auxiliary language.
Reginald John Garfield Dutton (8 November 1886 – 23 June 1970) created Dutton Speedwords, a system that functions as both a shorthand and an auxiliary language for speech and writing. He was born in Nottingham, England, the eldest son of George H. J. Dutton. When Dutton was about three or four, his family moved to Skegness so his father could work as a phrenologist and bookseller.
Working as a newspaper correspondent, Dutton studied Pitman Shorthand and other shorthand systems. He published his own version in 1916 as "Shorthand in Three Days." After minor revisions, he settled on a final form by 1919 and republished it as "Dutton One Week Shorthand," claiming the twelve lessons could be learned in a week.
Dutton became interested in Esperanto and the broader idea of a constructed auxiliary language to promote communication and goodwill. Based on his earlier shorthand, he created his own auxiliary language, introducing "World Speedwords" (later Dutton Speedwords) in 1943. He was a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts from 1918 to 1969. After his death in Skegness on 23 June 1970, his daughter Elizabeth continued his mail-order self-education course in Dutton Speedwords.
- born
- 8 November 1886
- died
- 23 June 1970
- field
- Linguistics, shorthand
- nationality
- English
- known_for
- Inventing Dutton Speedwords
Lore & Background
Reginald Dutton was born in Nottingham, England, the eldest son of George H. J. Dutton. In 1890, when Dutton was three or four, his family moved to Skegness so his father could work as a phrenologist and bookseller. Dutton studied Pitman Shorthand and other shorthand systems to aid his work as a newspaper correspondent, and he invented his own system, published in 1916 under the title 'Shorthand in Three Days'. He made minor improvements and settled on a final form by 1919, republishing it as 'Dutton One Week Shorthand', as the 12 lessons could be mastered in one week.
Dutton became interested in Esperanto and the concept of an auxiliary constructed language to increase communication and goodwill among peoples. He set about creating his own auxiliary language based on his earlier shorthand system, and in 1943 introduced 'World Speedwords' (now Dutton Speedwords), conceived as a system of shorthand as well as a spoken and written auxiliary language. Dutton was a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts from 1918 to 1969.
His mail-order self-education course in Dutton Speedwords was continued by his daughter Elizabeth after his death in Skegness on 23 June 1970.
Reader's Guide
Reginald J. G. Dutton's significance lies in his creation of Dutton Speedwords, a unique system that combined shorthand with an auxiliary constructed language. While his earlier shorthand systems were designed for rapid note-taking, his later work aimed at fostering international understanding, inspired by Esperanto. The system's dual nature as both a writing and spoken language made it distinctive, though it never achieved widespread adoption. Dutton's legacy is preserved through his mail-order course, continued by his daughter, and his work remains of interest to historians of constructed languages and shorthand. His membership in the Royal Society of Arts from 1918 to 1969 reflects his standing as an inventor and educator.
Did You Know?
- Dutton published his first shorthand system in 1916 under the title 'Shorthand in Three Days'.
- He was a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts from 1918 to 1969.
- His father George H. J. Dutton worked as a phrenologist and bookseller in Skegness.
- After his death, his daughter Elizabeth continued his mail-order self-education course in Dutton Speedwords.
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