Abstract: A computer-aided text processing stenographic system which is spelling independent. The system includes a keyboard which is stroked to translate verbal expressions into a phonetic code in accordance with a vowel omission principle in which all "uh" vowel sounds and unemphasized "eh" and "ih" vowel sounds preceding final side consonants are omitted for medial and ending strokes. The system further includes software to translate the strokes using a translation dictionary based on the vowel omission principle to provide accurate real-time translation. The system may also include a monitor for real time viewing of the text in English and may also include a printer and electronic storage. Other spelling dependencies and conflicts may be eliminated by representing the "aw" sound, vowel sounds preceding the letter "r" and schwa vowel sounds in a prescribed manner.