Concise Semantic Shorthand
Two Talk is a concise semantic shorthand system designed for rapid, objective observation. Unlike traditional shorthand, it captures meaning rather than phonetics. It is a structured micro-language that is fast to write and can be interpreted at a glance.
Every word is exactly two characters: the first symbol
represents a Topic (the noun or domain),
and the second symbol represents a
Trait (the state, quality, or action). By
combining these, you can "calculate" meanings—for example,
* (Focus) + ! (Action) =
Strike.
This system is built for environments where speed and clarity are paramount. It excels in high-pressure meeting environments, technical system logging, minimalist journaling, and capturing rapid-fire logic during brainstorming sessions.
"The manager confirmed the budget is over by $500. We have a live blocker on the project roadmap."
@* != %% %> 500 . )) ~* >#
~~), and dependencies (&&)
with zero friction.
@@), confirmed decisions
(>>.!=), and milestones (>=).
:() or logic-gaps (:?.&*) in
a secular, objective framework.
#~.!* (Food + Fast = Fast Food).
(/) for
positive/negative states and </>
for past/future timing.
## followed by the project or category name
for immediate context.
: after a
symbol to label a specific entity.
Click a row to filter the dictionary.
| Sym | Topic (1st) | Trait (2nd) |
|---|
Combine two pairs with a . dot to build a
refined meaning. This expands Two Talk from 400 standard
meanings to 160,000 refined meanings. The
first pair sets the broad domain, the
second pair narrows it. Read as:
General → Specific.