Reginald G. Dutton

Reginald G. Dutton was an English inventor and linguist best known for creating Dutton Speedwords, an innovative auxiliary language and shorthand system. Born in Nottingham, he moved to Skegness at a young age, where his father worked as a phrenologist and bookseller. Dutton's early exposure to various shorthand systems, including Pitman Shorthand, laid the groundwork for his own inventions. In 1916, he published 'Shorthand in Three Days,' which showcased his unique approach to shorthand. By 1919, he refined his system into 'Dutton One Week Shorthand,' designed for quick mastery in just a week. Dutton's interest in constructed languages led him to explore Esperanto and the potential for a universal means of communication. This passion culminated in 1943 with the introduction of 'World Speedwords,' a system that combined elements of shorthand with a spoken and written language. Dutton Speedwords aimed to facilitate communication across linguistic barriers, reflecting his belief in promoting goodwill among peoples. His contributions to language and shorthand have left a lasting impact on the fields of linguistics and communication, marking him as a significant figure in the development of auxiliary languages.