2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of storing further comprises the step of predefining a selected set of single strokes recorded in the computer readable record as absolutes, said absolutes having an unambiguous text translation, said absolutes being defined as said first level pointers.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of storing further comprises the step of predefining a selected set of single strokes recorded in the computer readable record as absolutes, said absolutes having an unambiguous text translation, said absolutes being defined as said first level pointers. 3. The method of claim 2 wherein the first substep of comparing the record against the dictionary comprises the step of identifying the absolutes in the computer readable record for defining said first level pointers, and wherein said second step of combining strokes and comparing comprises: locating the first sequence of one or more non-absolute shorthand strokes in the computer readable record following each first level pointer, which has an and unambiguous match with the dictionary, each such match defining the next level pointers, and wherein each third step of repeating further comprises: repeating step (2) for each defined next level pointer in place of said first level pointer until comparison between non-absolute shorthand strokes in the computer readable record and the dictionary results in the definition of no further pointers, each pointer defining a portion of the computer readable record having a unique text translation.