what is a stenography

Shorthand is certainly not a new concept, and countless shorthand systems have already been developed. Depending on the language, a shorthand system may be based on symbols representing certain sounds, terms, or letters, or it may be based on letters that have a specific meaning. Some shorthand systems are even coded specifically for a particular organization or company so that sensitive information is protected from outsiders.

Regardless of which shorthand system is used, the primary goal is to record the spoken word verbatim. With shorthand, court reporters can record proceedings and events much faster than would be possible with a standard keyboard. And although handwritten shorthand has been used for centuries, the use of a shorthand machine allows the court reporter to record information in a less cumbersome and more accurate manner. Although today's court reporters use a variety of advanced technologies to record written proceedings, stenography remains the most common form, both inside and outside the courtroom.

What is a Stenotype Machine?

One of the first things you notice about a stenotype machine is that it does not have as many keys as a normal keyboard. A stenotype machine, developed back in the early 19th century, is a form of phonetic transcription that allows the court reporter to write stenographic shorthand.

A standard stenotype machine has just 22 keys to enter coded numbers, phrases, words, and sounds, which means court reporters can ensure that all courtroom activity, down to a witness's sobbing, can be accurately recorded.

Although a key set of phrases, words, numbers, and sounds is commonly used, it is also common for stenographers to develop their own dictionaries for their work, containing coded combinations of letters representing common phrases.