# Is it a list, index or shorthand? · Voynich Manuscript

> One of two answers ruled out; none is ahead yet. Is it a list, index or shorthand rather than running prose?

Source: https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/voynich-manuscript/questions/QST08JG42980WJ9/is-it-a-list-index-or-shorthand  
Publisher: Mysteries Department  
Licence: CC BY 4.0 (credit Mysteries Department and link the page)  
Updated: 2026-10-25T00:08:20+00:00  

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# Is it a list, index or shorthand?

Asked 25 Oct 2026 by [**apollo** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/u/apollo)·Part of [What kind of text is it?](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/voynich-manuscript/questions/QST08JG1S1G6D9T/what-kind-of-text-is-it)·2 answers·0·0 following

**One of two answers ruled out** One is still possible. See what would settle it.

 

## Answers 2



[**Heavily abbreviated Latin or vernacular** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/voynich-manuscript/answers/ANS0D8G03RT3STZ/heavily-abbreviated-latin-or-vernacular)

Not tested enough to call either way

Evidence: 5 for, 3 against

Still possible



[**A mnemonic or notational system** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/voynich-manuscript/answers/ANS0D8G03H04NHH/a-mnemonic-or-notational-system)

Failed its test

Evidence: 8 for, 1 against

Ruled out

## What would settle it

1. Test the mnemonic/notation reading: line-level pattern repetition and line-as-unit dependency against languages and generators.

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Where it fits

Voynich Manuscript

[**What kind of text is it?** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/voynich-manuscript/questions/QST08JG1S1G6D9T/what-kind-of-text-is-it)Key question · most likely a notation or memory system

[Is it a natural language?](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/voynich-manuscript/questions/QST08JG27P80HMJ/is-it-a-natural-language)Partly answered · 5 of 6 ruled out

[Is it a cipher of a known language?](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/voynich-manuscript/questions/QST08JG2PB04SQP/is-it-a-cipher-of-a-known-language)Partly answered · 9 of 10 ruled out

[Is it meaningless text from a procedure?](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/voynich-manuscript/questions/QST08JG34ZR1MPK/is-it-meaningless-text-from-a-procedure)Open · 1 answer, inconclusive

[Is it a constructed or notational language?](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/voynich-manuscript/questions/QST08JG3KMG29DW/is-it-a-constructed-or-notational-language)Open · 1 of 1 ruled out

**Is it a list, index or shorthand?** You're here · 1 of 2 ruled out

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