Austeno Legal Transcription Services

What is the Advantage of using a Stenographer?

     Quite simply, a stenographer can write more words per minute.  It doesn't mean that a keyboardist isn't capable or incredibly qualified.  I have several friends that are amazing keyboardists.  However, a stenographer can often times turn work out faster.

     While a keyboardist can type very quickly at 90-plus words per minute (and, mind you, this truly is fast),  it is done one letter at a time or often with programmed keys to speed up the process.  A stenographer can write whole words, and sometimes a string of words, in a single entry.  This takes the word count way up, sometimes over 200 words per minute.     

     Add to that specialized court reporting software, which, when linked between the machine and the computer, causes the words to immediately pop up on the computer screen in English and already in transcript form, complete with speaker identification!  This also helps cut down on misspelled words as they are already programmed to respond when the phonetics are input for that word.  All that's left to do is edit for spelling, punctuation errors, and final proofing.      

     Stenographers and transcriptionists alike have amazing English, grammar, and punctuation skills and both can produce a neat and professional transcript.  While these skills can be obtained through many avenues, most stenographers are, or have been, court reporting students and have received the same curriculum as a licensed court reporter.  The difference between the court reporter and the stenographer is that the stenographer is not licensed by the state.

     The stenograph advantage would be more pages in less time.