stenography

Stenography is the practice of transcribing spoken language into written text with speed and accuracy. It encompasses shorthand writing systems and machine-based input methods used by court reporters, stenographers, and captionists. The goal is to capture speech as faithfully as possible, often in real time.

Historically, stenography began with manual shorthand systems dating back to ancient times; in the 19th and early 20th centuries, systems such as Gregg, Pitman, and Teeline enabled rapid handwriting of speech. The invention and adoption of the stenotype machine in the early 20th century allowed stenographers to input text using a chorded keyboard and phonetic codes, substantially increasing transcription speed. Modern stenography often combines traditional shorthand concepts with machine input and computer-assisted transcription.

Two main branches exist today. Manual shorthand remains in use for note-taking and certain legal proceedings, while machine-based stenography dominates professional settings: stenotype keyboards produce codes that are translated by software into readable text in real time. Steno theory emphasizes briefs and phonetic patterns, enabling high speeds typically over 200 words per minute.

Applications include court reporting, real-time captioning for television and webinars, CART services for the deaf and hard of hearing, and transcription services for legal, medical, and media industries. Training involves specialized programs, textbooks, and certification in many countries. In the United States, certification by professional bodies such as the National Court Reporters Association is common for career reporters.