Stenography refers to the use of shorthand to record the spoken word for purposes of their subsequent typing for formal record keeping. A stenographer is a person who makes a written verbatim record using a unique shortened writing style called “steno” on a steno machine. Steno is “written” on the machine using a special theory that is based on syllables, rather than letter by letter, as is done on a typical keyboard.

Many forms of shorthand exist. A typical shorthand system provides symbols or abbreviations for words and common phrases, which can allow someone well-trained in the system to write as quickly as people speak. Abbreviation methods are alphabet-based and use different abbreviating approaches. Many journalists use shorthand writing to quickly take notes at press conferences or other similar scenarios. In the computerized world, several autocomplete programs, standalone or integrated in text editors, based on word lists, also include a shorthand function for frequently used phrases.

Although the primary use of shorthand has been to record oral dictation or discourse, some systems are used for compact expression. For example, healthcare professionals might use shorthand notes in medical charts and correspondence. Shorthand notes are typically temporary, intended either for immediate use or for later typing, data entry, or transcription to longhand.

Using shorthand, stenographers are able to write as quickly as people speak. In fact stenographers can create lasting documentation of everything from court cases to medical conversations. This is obviously useful in many legal settings, but the skill is also used for live closed captioning on television or captioning for hard-ofhearing audiences at events. In court or medical transcription settings they use shorthand and a steno machine to transcribe information and commit it to the public record at typing speeds that are on average more than 200 words per minute in English.