Outlining Rules

Outlining is the systematic omission of vowels used in order to shorten words.


Only a single vowel may be omitted from between two consonants. A vowel at the beginning or end of a word may not be outlined.

Only the vowel a may be omitted from one-syllable words or from the first syllable of a word.

Examples:

The vowel 'a' must not be omitted from the first syllable if the surrounding letters comprise a common consonant cluster.

Examples:

The vowels a, e, i, o, and u may be omitted from other than the first syllable but 'y' must not be.

Example:

Silent 'e' must never be outlined.

Examples:

The medial sign Q, standing for 'qu', counts as a single consonant.

Examples:

A vowel may be outlined after an initial 'y', but not before a 'y'.

Examples:

The consonants remaining after a vowel's omission must not be contracted.

Examples:

Vowels should only be omitted if space is saved, and if the same amount of space would not be used by a regular contraction.

Examples:

If the same amount of space would be used outlining instead of a two-cell sign, preference is given to outlining.

Examples:

Vowels should only be omitted if the meaning of the word is still clear.

Examples:

The letter 'i' may be omitted before 'gh', even in the first syllable, as long as it is preceded by a consonant.

Examples:

A vowel comprising an entire syllable on its own must not be outlined.

Examples:

A vowel comprising the main stress of a word must not be outlined.

Examples:

Vowels from other syllables must not be outlined if the resulting letters are commonly pronounced together.

Examples:

A vowel must not be outlined if the result would have multiple possible readings or if the result would be difficult to interpret.

Examples:

Back to Rules