Who are Transcriptionists and Stenographers and what is the difference?

Stenography vs. Transcription: Understanding the Key Differences

The language services industry uses many specialized terms. If you need help with a language project, you might wonder whether you need a stenographer or a transcriber. These roles share some similarities, but they have distinct differences that matter for your project.

What Is Stenography?

Stenography is a method of writing spoken words quickly using shorthand or special machines. Stenographers record speech as it happens, often in real-time settings like courtrooms or official meetings. Here are key facts about stenography:

• Stenographers use special keyboards or write shorthand by hand.
• A skilled stenographer can produce transcripts at speeds up to 150 words per minute, matching average spoken word rates (source: National Court Reporters Association, 2021).
• The output uses symbols or codes understood only by trained stenographers.

Because stenography uses unique shorthand, these records need conversion into standard text before the general public or professionals can use them.

Where Is Stenography Used?

• Court reporting
• Parliamentary sessions
• Live captioning for events
• Historical secretarial work

Stenography is traditional but requires expertise to learn and interpret.

What Is Transcription?

Transcription is the process of creating a clear text record from audio or video content. Transcribers listen to recordings or real-time speech and type out everything they hear in everyday language. Here is what you need to know about transcription:

• Transcribers work with existing audio/videos or live events.
• They turn speech into readable text, often with timestamps and at varying levels of detail.
• Specialized fields, such as medical transcription, require high accuracy, sometimes up to 99% (American Association for Medical Transcription, 2023).
• Transcription is easier to learn and more widely available than stenography.

Transcription may take longer than real-time stenography, especially for long recordings, but the results are accurate and easy to understand.

Uses for Transcription

• Business meetings
• Medical records
• Media and journalism
• Closed captions and subtitles for videos
• Legal documentation

Transcription is adaptable for many industries and can use human experts or AI-powered automated transcription tools.

How Are Stenography and Transcription Alike?

Both stenography and transcription aim to convert spoken language into text. They share several points:

• Both capture the spoken word in written form.
• Both can use paper or digital documents for recording.
• Both are best performed by trained professionals for high accuracy.

Each method records speech so people can reference, search, or use the information later. However, the process and practicality differ.

Key Differences Between Stenography and Transcription

Speed and Real-Time Needs

• Stenography delivers text as people speak—ideal for live situations.
• Transcription is usually done after the event or recording is complete.

Ease of Learning and Use

• Stenography is hard to master; it takes years of practice.
• Learning transcription is faster and needs less specialized training.

Readability and Accessibility

• Stenography uses symbols only trained readers understand.
• Transcription results in clear, readable text for anyone.

Error Potential and Risk

• Stenographers can miss details if they forget a symbol or get behind during fast speech.
• Transcribers can pause or replay recordings to ensure accuracy, giving more reliable results.

Technology Changes

• Over time, technologies like magnetic tape, digital recorders, and AI have made transcription easier and more popular (Forbes, 2023).
• Stenography remains valuable for courtrooms but is less common in everyday business.

Common Challenges with Stenography

• Stenography requires "decoding" shorthand before use—it is not ready for instant sharing.
• There is always a risk of errors or missing parts due to the speed and limits of human memory.
• Because it is so hard to learn, few people can provide professional-level stenography.

Choosing the Right Solution for Your Project

Ask yourself:

• Do you need text as someone is speaking (real-time)? Pick stenography, especially for court or governmental uses.
• Is accuracy and clear, readable text more important? Opt for transcription.
• Do you need to transcribe content for videos, captions, or foreign-language projects? Transcription is ideal, especially with the rise of AI-powered transcription subscriptions and translation services.

Conclusion: Let GoTranscript Help

Both stenography and transcription help convert speech to text, but transcription is more accessible, accurate, and easier for most projects. If you want high-quality transcripts for audio, video, or live events, GoTranscript offers customized transcription services, fast automated transcription, closed captioning, and reliable translation solutions. Check out our transparent transcription pricing and captioning rates to fit your budget. Ready to get started? Order transcription or order captions today and see how GoTranscript can help with every aspect of your language service needs.