How Does the Stenograph Work?
How Does the Machine Court Reporters Use Work?
The average person can type somewhere between 30 to 70 words a minute. That speed is nothing to sneeze at, certainly, but when one then learns that court reporters are trained to type over 200 words a minute with an accuracy rate of 97.5%, they are floored. Court reporters go through intense schooling to develop this skill, but they work with a special tool that allows them to hit these speeds: the stenograph, or shorthand machine.
The stenograph is a special machine that allows court reporters to record what is said during a legal proceeding phonetically. The keyboard, made of 22 keys, is separated into three parts:
Initial keys
The left side of the keyboard, also known as the “initial keys” consists of initial phonetic sounds. For example, the starting sound in the word “can,” the “K” would be on this side.
Final Keys
The right side of the keyboard is referred to as the “final keys.” This side consists of the final phonetic sounds. For example, in the word “can,” the final ending sound is “N.”
Second Level
Below the initial and final keys is the second level. This is where the thumbs rest to record vowel sounds. While there are only four vowel keys, court reporters can represent all vowel sounds using these four keys.
There is one final key to mark the occasional error– an asterisk. With these 22 keys, court reporters are able to record exactly what was said, how it was said. This ability is what makes court reporters a valuable resources, even as audio recording technologies exist. Only certified court reporters can provide transcripts the clearest transcripts in the correct format, precisely on time.
LET'S GET STARTED!
BOOK A COURT REPORTER
Schedule a service with our 24/7 mobile form.
SEARCH BY FIRM NAME
Schedule a service with a firm you know.
SEARCH BY LOCATION
Find a court reporting firm where you need one.
OUR COURT REPORTING FIRMS OFFER
A COMPLETE ARRAY OF SERVICES
COURT REPORTING
Learn about our court reporting resources and technologies across North America.
REMOTE DEPOSITIONS
Our remote depositions include everything you need for a success.
LEGAL VIDEOGRAPHY
Our leval videography resources include online streaming and the latest in camera technologies.
VIDEOCONFERENCING
Let us organize your next videoconference anywhere in the world.
TRIAL PRESENTATION
Our trial presentation team offers everything you need for a winning case.
CONFERENCE ROOMS
Schedule a meeting or deposition in one of our state of the art conference rooms.
CONTACT US
NATIONAL COURT REPORTING & LEGAL NEWS
LATEST POSTS
Announcing Our New Website!
NNRC is proud to announced the launch of our new website. The new site has been updated for content and graphics to reflect a more content-rich and updated style where users and legal professionals can request or schedule a service at any time of the day, any day of...
Member Profile: Hanna & Hanna in Houston, Texas
Hanna & Hanna Reporting is one of the oldest independently-owned and operated court reporting firms in Houston, Texas. With over 30 years of experience and specializing in arbitrations, hearings, complex patent litigation and construction cases, Hanna & Hanna...
How To Schedule A Service Efficiently
One of the keys to getting your court reporter or videographer booked on short notice is making sure to clarify every possible detail about your deposition during the initial booking. NNRC is proud to offer court reporters, remote depositions, legal videographers and...
Schedule with Your Smartphone
In 2022, booking a litigation support service has never been faster or easier. You can call or email to book a service, of course, but you can also take an easier route and book anywhere at any time with our online scheduling form. This form is mobile-friendly, easily...
Find Success With Video Depositions
Video depositions can be an invaluable resource for any attorney's case. By recording one's deposition, attorneys can review what was said to build a stronger case, as well as to reinforce their witness's testimony. Bits of the deposition can even be condensed into...
Learn More About Our Texas Partners
In Texas, everything is bigger-- and attorneys expect their court reporting professionals to fit that bill. They have to be faster, more accurate, and more efficient than their competitors. On top of that, they have to offer superior customer service, so attorneys can...
New Partner Pages
As an international court reporting company, it goes without saying that you can find the fast, accurate, and reliable court reporting professionals you need anywhere in the United States. Our partners go through an intense vetting process to ensure they live up to...
Learn More About Our Ohio Partners
With the National Network Reporting Company, you will find a vast number of skilled, dedicated, and accurate court reporting professionals-- including our partners in Ohio. If a case ever brings you to the great state of Ohio, you have two great options to choose...
Court Reporting in Cleveland
As one of the largest cities in the state of Ohio, attorneys who practice in Cleveland have a lot on their plate. They require a court reporter who can keep up with the hustle and bustle while still being available to provide the customer service clients need. What's...
Court Reporting in Miami
With such a diverse array of people working in Miami, it makes sense that the world of law would be equally as diverse. For attorneys in the area, they need a court reporter who is knowledgeable about a wide variety of areas of practice. They should use the latest...
Learn More about Our Miami Court Reporting Firm
The National Network Reporting Company (NNRC) partners with talented court reporting firms across the world to bring our clientele the best service in the business. Among those firms is Laws Reporting. Our Miami partner has been a leader in the world of litigation for...
Learn More About the San Francisco Court Reporting Firm
The National Network Reporting Company (NNRC) partners with court reporting professionals across the United States to provide attorneys everywhere the best litigation support in the game. For the great city of San Francisco, that firm is Behmke Reporting & Video....
BECOME AN NNRC MEMBER
NNRC consists of independent court reporters and reporting firms just like you! Contact us today if you would like to join the world's most comprehensive directory of court reporters.