Stenotype
Encyclopedia
A stenotype, stenotype machine or shorthand machine is a specialized chorded keyboard
or typewriter
used by stenographers for shorthand
use. In order to pass the US Registered Professional Reporter
test, a trained court reporter
or closed captioner
must write speeds of approximately 180, 200, and 225 words per minute at very high accuracy in the categories of literary, jury charge, and testimony, respectively. Some users of this machine can reach 300 words per minute. The website of the California Official Court Reporters Association gives the official record for American English as 375 wpm.
The stenotype keyboard looks more like a piano
than a conventional alphanumeric keyboard. Multiple keys are pressed simultaneously (known as "chording" or "stroking") to spell out whole syllable
s, words, and phrases with a single hand motion. This system makes realtime transcription practical for court reporting and live closed captioning
. Because the keyboard does not contain all the letters of the English alphabet, letter combinations are substituted for the missing letters. There are several schools of thought on how to record various sounds, such as the StenEd, Phoenix, and Magnum Steno theories.
The first shorthand machine (the word "stenotype" was not used for another 80 years or more) punched a paper strip and was built in 1830 by Karl Drais
. The first machine was made in 1863 by the Italian Antonio Zucco and was in actual use since 1880 in the Italian Senate. An American shorthand machine was patent
ed in 1879 by Miles M. Bartholomew. A French version was created by Marc Grandjean in 1909. The direct ancestor of today's stenotype was created by Ward Stone Ireland in about 1913 or so, and the word "stenotype" was applied to his machine and its descendants sometime thereafter.
Most modern stenotype keyboards have more in common with computers than they do with typewriters or QWERTY
computer keyboards. Most contain microprocessors, and many allow sensitivity adjustments for each individual key. They translate stenotype to English internally using user-specific dictionaries, and most have LCD screens. They typically store a full day's work in non-volatile memory of some type, such as a floppy disk
, hard drive, or non-volatile RAM
. These factors influence the price, along with economies of scale
, as there are only a few thousand stenotype keyboards sold each year. As of April 2008, student models such as a Stentura 400SRT sell for about US $1,500 and top-end models sell for approximately US$ 5,000. Machines that are 30–40 years old still resell for upwards of $350.
In "home position," the fingers of the left hand rest along the gap between the two main rows of keys to the left of the asterisk (little finger on the "S" to forefinger on the "H" and "R"). These fingers are used to generate initial consonants. The fingers of the right hand lie in the corresponding position to the right of the asterisk (forefinger on "FR" to little finger on "TS"), and are used for final consonants. The thumbs produce the vowels.
The system is roughly phonetic; for example the word "cat" would be written by a single stroke expressing the initial K, the vowel A, and the final T.
To enter a number, a user presses the number bar at the top of the keyboard at the same time as the other keys, much like the Shift key on a QWERTY based keyboard. The illustration shows which lettered keys correspond to which digits. Numbers can be chorded just as letters can. They read from left to right across the keyboard. It's possible to write 137 in one stroke by pressing the number bar along with SP-P, but it takes three separate strokes to write 731. Many court reporters and stenocaptioners write out numbers phonetically instead of using the number bar.
There are various ways to combine letters to make different sounds; different court reporters use different theories in their work. Historically, reporters often created "briefs" (abbreviations) on-the-fly, and sometimes mixed theories, which could make it difficult for one reporter to read another reporter's notes; but current versions of theories are primarily designed for computerized translation using a standardized dictionary provided by the company that promulgates the theory, which forces reporters to stick with one theory and use only the specific combinations in that company's dictionary. However, it is not uncommon for students and reporters to add a significant number of entries to a stock dictionary (usually when creating briefs of their own).
Some court reporters use scopists to translate and edit their work. A scopist is a person who is trained in the phonetic writing system, English punctuation, and usually in legal formatting. They are especially helpful when a court reporter is working so much that they do not have time to edit their own work. Both scopists and proofreaders work closely with the court reporter to ensure an accurate transcript. However, the widespread use of automatic computerized translation of the strokes has reduced the demand for scopists. With transcripts produced on computer-aided transcription (CAT) software, a scopist no longer needs to have any knowledge of shorthand theories because the software converts shorthand to English in realtime, via a dictionary. However, it may still be helpful in some situations while scoping, as misstroked words may not translate and would appear in steno. Depending on availability of scopists and proofreaders, a court reporter may use a scopist only to clean up a rough draft of their transcript, then proofread and certify the transcript themselves; or they may use neither, and produce a final transcript by themselves, though this is a very time-consuming practice.
STKPWHRAO*EUFRPBLGTSDZ
The initial Z is also commonly chorded by the entire initial bank, STKPWHR, in order to avoid thousands of potential conflicts.
Chorded keyboard
A keyset or chorded keyboard is a computer input device that allows the user to enter characters or commands formed by pressing several keys together, like playing a "chord" on a piano...
or typewriter
Typewriter
A typewriter is a mechanical or electromechanical device with keys that, when pressed, cause characters to be printed on a medium, usually paper. Typically one character is printed per keypress, and the machine prints the characters by making ink impressions of type elements similar to the pieces...
used by stenographers for shorthand
Shorthand
Shorthand is an abbreviated symbolic writing method that increases speed or brevity of writing as compared to a normal method of writing a language. The process of writing in shorthand is called stenography, from the Greek stenos and graphē or graphie...
use. In order to pass the US Registered Professional Reporter
Registered Professional Reporter
The Registered Professional Reporter is a nationally recognized certification program for court reporters in the United States. It is provided by the National Court Reporters Association ....
test, a trained court reporter
Court reporter
A court reporter, stenotype reporter, voice writing reporter, or transcriber is a person whose occupation is to transcribe spoken or recorded speech into written form, using machine shorthand or voice writing equipment to produce official transcripts of court hearings, depositions and other...
or closed captioner
Closed captioning
Closed captioning is the process of displaying text on a television, video screen or other visual display to provide additional or interpretive information to individuals who wish to access it...
must write speeds of approximately 180, 200, and 225 words per minute at very high accuracy in the categories of literary, jury charge, and testimony, respectively. Some users of this machine can reach 300 words per minute. The website of the California Official Court Reporters Association gives the official record for American English as 375 wpm.
The stenotype keyboard looks more like a piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
than a conventional alphanumeric keyboard. Multiple keys are pressed simultaneously (known as "chording" or "stroking") to spell out whole syllable
Syllable
A syllable is a unit of organization for a sequence of speech sounds. For example, the word water is composed of two syllables: wa and ter. A syllable is typically made up of a syllable nucleus with optional initial and final margins .Syllables are often considered the phonological "building...
s, words, and phrases with a single hand motion. This system makes realtime transcription practical for court reporting and live closed captioning
Closed captioning
Closed captioning is the process of displaying text on a television, video screen or other visual display to provide additional or interpretive information to individuals who wish to access it...
. Because the keyboard does not contain all the letters of the English alphabet, letter combinations are substituted for the missing letters. There are several schools of thought on how to record various sounds, such as the StenEd, Phoenix, and Magnum Steno theories.
The first shorthand machine (the word "stenotype" was not used for another 80 years or more) punched a paper strip and was built in 1830 by Karl Drais
Karl Drais
Karl Drais was a German inventor and invented the Laufmaschine , also later called the velocipede, draisine or "draisienne" , also nicknamed the dandy horse. This incorporated the two-wheeler principle that is basic to the bicycle and motorcycle and was the beginning of mechanized personal...
. The first machine was made in 1863 by the Italian Antonio Zucco and was in actual use since 1880 in the Italian Senate. An American shorthand machine was patent
Patent
A patent is a form of intellectual property. It consists of a set of exclusive rights granted by a sovereign state to an inventor or their assignee for a limited period of time in exchange for the public disclosure of an invention....
ed in 1879 by Miles M. Bartholomew. A French version was created by Marc Grandjean in 1909. The direct ancestor of today's stenotype was created by Ward Stone Ireland in about 1913 or so, and the word "stenotype" was applied to his machine and its descendants sometime thereafter.
Most modern stenotype keyboards have more in common with computers than they do with typewriters or QWERTY
QWERTY
QWERTY is the most common modern-day keyboard layout. The name comes from the first six letters appearing in the topleft letter row of the keyboard, read left to right: Q-W-E-R-T-Y. The QWERTY design is based on a layout created for the Sholes and Glidden typewriter and sold to Remington in the...
computer keyboards. Most contain microprocessors, and many allow sensitivity adjustments for each individual key. They translate stenotype to English internally using user-specific dictionaries, and most have LCD screens. They typically store a full day's work in non-volatile memory of some type, such as a floppy disk
Floppy disk
A floppy disk is a disk storage medium composed of a disk of thin and flexible magnetic storage medium, sealed in a rectangular plastic carrier lined with fabric that removes dust particles...
, hard drive, or non-volatile RAM
NVRAM
Non-volatile random-access memory is random-access memory that retains its information when power is turned off, which is described technically as being non-volatile...
. These factors influence the price, along with economies of scale
Returns to scale
In economics, returns to scale and economies of scale are related terms that describe what happens as the scale of production increases in the long run, when all input levels including physical capital usage are variable...
, as there are only a few thousand stenotype keyboards sold each year. As of April 2008, student models such as a Stentura 400SRT sell for about US $1,500 and top-end models sell for approximately US$ 5,000. Machines that are 30–40 years old still resell for upwards of $350.
Keyboard layout
Stenotype keys normally are black with no markings. The keyboard layout of the American stenotype machine is shown at the right.In "home position," the fingers of the left hand rest along the gap between the two main rows of keys to the left of the asterisk (little finger on the "S" to forefinger on the "H" and "R"). These fingers are used to generate initial consonants. The fingers of the right hand lie in the corresponding position to the right of the asterisk (forefinger on "FR" to little finger on "TS"), and are used for final consonants. The thumbs produce the vowels.
The system is roughly phonetic; for example the word "cat" would be written by a single stroke expressing the initial K, the vowel A, and the final T.
To enter a number, a user presses the number bar at the top of the keyboard at the same time as the other keys, much like the Shift key on a QWERTY based keyboard. The illustration shows which lettered keys correspond to which digits. Numbers can be chorded just as letters can. They read from left to right across the keyboard. It's possible to write 137 in one stroke by pressing the number bar along with SP-P, but it takes three separate strokes to write 731. Many court reporters and stenocaptioners write out numbers phonetically instead of using the number bar.
There are various ways to combine letters to make different sounds; different court reporters use different theories in their work. Historically, reporters often created "briefs" (abbreviations) on-the-fly, and sometimes mixed theories, which could make it difficult for one reporter to read another reporter's notes; but current versions of theories are primarily designed for computerized translation using a standardized dictionary provided by the company that promulgates the theory, which forces reporters to stick with one theory and use only the specific combinations in that company's dictionary. However, it is not uncommon for students and reporters to add a significant number of entries to a stock dictionary (usually when creating briefs of their own).
Some court reporters use scopists to translate and edit their work. A scopist is a person who is trained in the phonetic writing system, English punctuation, and usually in legal formatting. They are especially helpful when a court reporter is working so much that they do not have time to edit their own work. Both scopists and proofreaders work closely with the court reporter to ensure an accurate transcript. However, the widespread use of automatic computerized translation of the strokes has reduced the demand for scopists. With transcripts produced on computer-aided transcription (CAT) software, a scopist no longer needs to have any knowledge of shorthand theories because the software converts shorthand to English in realtime, via a dictionary. However, it may still be helpful in some situations while scoping, as misstroked words may not translate and would appear in steno. Depending on availability of scopists and proofreaders, a court reporter may use a scopist only to clean up a rough draft of their transcript, then proofread and certify the transcript themselves; or they may use neither, and produce a final transcript by themselves, though this is a very time-consuming practice.
Steno paper
Steno paper comes out of a stenotype machine at the rate of one row per chord, with the pressed letters printed out in 22 columns corresponding to the 22 keys, in the following order:STKPWHRAO*EUFRPBLGTSDZ
Chords
This is a basic chart of the letters of this machine. There are, however, different writing theories that represent some letters or sounds differently (e.g., the "*F" for "final V" in the chart below), and each court reporter develops personalized "briefs" and alternate ways of writing things.| English Letter | Stenotype Letter STKPWHRAO*EUFRPBLGTSDZ |
Example | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial B | PW | ||
| Initial C (Soft) | K R | cell | Use for soft c only |
| Initial CH | K H | ||
| Initial D | TK | ||
| Initial F | T P | ||
| Initial G | TKPW | ||
| Initial H | H | ||
| Initial J | S K W R | ||
| Initial K | K | call | Includes hard c |
| Initial L | HR | ||
| Initial M | P H | ||
| Initial N | T P H | ||
| Initial P | P | ||
| Initial QU | K W | ||
| Initial R | R | are , our, hour | |
| Initial S | S | is , his | |
| Initial T | T | ||
| Initial V | S R | ||
| Initial W | W | ||
| Initial Y | K W R | you | |
| Initial Z | S * | ||
| Final B | B | ||
| Final CH | F P | ||
| Final D | D | ||
| Final DZ | DZ | friends | Use only for words that end with ds |
| Final F | F | ||
| Final G | G | ||
| Final J | PBLG | ||
| Final K | B G | ||
| Final L | L | ||
| Final M | P L | ||
| Final MP | FRP | ||
| Final N | PB | ||
| Final NG | PB G | ||
| Final NJ | PB G | ||
| Final NK | * PB G | ||
| Final P | P | ||
| Final R | R | ||
| Final RCH | FRPB | ||
| Final RF | FR B | ||
| Final RVE | FR B | ||
| Final S | S | ||
| Final SH | R B | ||
| Final T | T | ||
| Final V | * F | ||
| Final X | B G S | ||
| Final Z | Z | ||
| Final SHUN | G S | ||
| Final KSHUN | * B G S | ||
| P: Comma | R B G S | ||
| P: Correction (Asterisk) | * | ||
| P: Paragraph | P F | ||
| P: Period (.) | F P L T | ||
| P: Question Mark | ST P H | ||
| Vowel A | A | ||
| Vowel A (Long) | A EU | ||
| Vowel Aw | A U | ||
| Vowel E | E | ||
| Vowel E (Long) | AO E | ||
| Vowel I | EU | ||
| Vowel I (Long) | AO EU | ||
| Vowel O | O | ||
| Vowel O (Long) | O E | ||
| Vowel OI | O EU | ||
| Vowel OO | AO | ||
| Vowel OU | O U | ||
| Vowel U | U | ||
| Vowel U (Long) | AO U |
Example
The following example shows how steno paper coming out of the machine represents an English sentence. Notice that key combinations can have different meanings depending on context. In the first stroke of the word "example," the "PL" combination refers to the letter M. In the second stroke of the word, that same key combination refers to the letters P and L.The initial Z is also commonly chorded by the entire initial bank, STKPWHR, in order to avoid thousands of potential conflicts.
Manufacturers
Stenograph is by far the largest manufacturer of American stenotype keyboards with an estimated marketshare in excess of 90%. Their top models are the Stentura and the paperless élans. There were two other large manufacturers in the 1980s (Xscribe, with the StenoRAM line and BaronData, with the Transcriptor line). Stenograph purchased both companies and discontinued their products. The current manufacturers in the U.S. include:- Advantage Software (Passport)(currently in development)
- Neutrino Group (Gemini)
- ProCAT (Stylus)
- Stenograph (Stentura, élan Mira, Fusion, élan Cybra, and Diamante)
- Stenovations (LightSpeed)
- Word Technologies (Tréal)
See also
- Captioned Telephone
- Closed captioningClosed captioningClosed captioning is the process of displaying text on a television, video screen or other visual display to provide additional or interpretive information to individuals who wish to access it...
- Court reporting
- Remote CART
- ShorthandShorthandShorthand is an abbreviated symbolic writing method that increases speed or brevity of writing as compared to a normal method of writing a language. The process of writing in shorthand is called stenography, from the Greek stenos and graphē or graphie...
- StenomaskStenomaskA stenomask is a mouth mask with a built-in microphone. The purpose of a stenomask is to allow a person to speak without being heard by other people, and to keep background noise away from the microphone....
- Stenotype InstituteStenotype InstituteThe Stenotype Institute is an ACICS accredited private stenography school with two campuses, one in Jacksonville, Florida, and one in Orlando, Florida...
- VelotypeVelotypeVelotype is the old trademark for a type of keyboard for typing text known as a syllabic chord keyboard, an invention of the Dutchmen Nico Berkelmans and Marius den Outer. The current tradename is Veyboard...