Lausetüübist

Lausetüübist, also known as a "singing typist" or "dictaphone typist," was a specialized professional in the early 20th century who combined the roles of stenographer and singer. This unique occupation emerged in the era before advanced recording technology, when live performances and dictation required real-time transcription.

The lausetüübist would listen to spoken or sung material—often during live concerts, lectures, or private sessions—and simultaneously transcribe it onto paper using a stenotype machine. Their skill lay in capturing both the spoken word and musical elements, such as lyrics, with precision. This role was particularly valuable in preserving performances for later publication, as it allowed for accurate written records of songs, speeches, or other oral content.

The term originates from the Estonian language, where *laus* means "song" and *tüübist* refers to a typist or stenographer. While the occupation was rare and largely confined to specific cultural or professional contexts, it highlights the intersection of technology and creativity in early media production. The advent of phonographic recording and later digital transcription methods rendered this role obsolete, but it remains an interesting footnote in the history of communication and entertainment.

Lausetüübists were often employed in theaters, recording studios, or for private clients who needed written copies of performances. Their work required exceptional listening skills, rapid typing, and an understanding of both language and musical notation. Though no major figures are widely associated with this profession, their contributions helped shape early methods of preserving audio content in written form.