The Meaning of Stenographer

Stenographers often work in courthouses.

Stenographers are also known as court reporters. They're required to take notes verbatim of conversations and speeches, such as in a courtroom setting. Because most people talk faster than they write, stenographers take notes in shorthand.

Definition

A stenographer transcribes dictation in shorthand, e.g., in a courtroom trial. Stenographers are usually employed in courtrooms. Stenographers can also be used in other settings such as meetings and conferences.

Word Origin

The prefix "steno" means "narrow" or "small" and the suffix "graph" means to write or record.

Function

Stenographers often use machines called stenographs to take notes. Stenographs are similar to typewriters, but are especially designed for taking shorthand notes. Some also use voice-captioning software to do their job.

Education

Depending on the type of stenography, a professional stenographer can expect to spend at least one year in school. On average, it takes 33 months to become a real-time court reporter.

Wages

As of May 2008, stenographers earned $49,710 on average.

References

• Merriam Webster Online: Stenographer
• My Word: Steno- Definition
• Your Dictionary: -graph Definition
• Occupational Outlook Handbook: Court Reporters