

By pressing three keys at once (called a “chord”), they can make the syllable “cal”, then “en” and “dar”. However, in order to create complex and varied sounds as quickly as possible, each stroke on a stenotype will typically involve multiple keys. Writing a word like “calendar” only requires 3 strokes instead of the 8 we use on a regular keyboard. These stenotype machines work by typing in syllables rather than letters. Today’s stenographers use stenotype machines that enable shorthand writing. This incredible rate of writing lets a high-quality stenographer keep up with complex conversations, even when multiple people may be speaking in a court or event setting. In comparison, an average speaking speed is about 150 words per minute. These machine marvels allow stenographers to type at rates exceeding 300 words per minute. Modern-day stenographers use shorthand typing machines called stenotypes. Hence, what does “stenographer” mean? Simply, a shorthand writer. “Narrow writing” described systems of shorthand, back when conversations were transcribed by hand. It comes from the Greek “steno” meaning narrow and “graphy” meaning writing. The word “stenography” is older than any of our modern stenotype keyboards or machines. This is obviously useful in many legal settings, but the skill is also used for live closed captioning on television or captioning for hard-of-hearing audiences at events. Stenographers can create lasting documentation of everything from court cases to medical conversations.

A stenographer is a person trained to type or write in shorthand methods, enabling them to write as quickly as people speak.
