Court recording in Whitby is a highly skilled profession that involves creating word for word transcriptions of recorded speeches, court hearings, sworn proceedings, depositions, conversations, meetings, and other events. The main difference between different types of court reporters is in the method they use for making the record.
There are three common methods use for creating official transcriptions: stenographic reporting, voice writing, and electronic court reporting.
In stenographic reporting, the court reporter makes use of a stenotype machine to record every word that is being said in the courtroom. The stenotype reporter presses several keys on the machine simultaneously to type stenographic shorthand, a standard combinations of letters that represent words, phrases, or sounds. After recording, reporter translates shorthand recordings into readable text form to produce official records of spoken words. Nowadays, shorthand symbols are recorded electronically and instantly translated and displayed as readable text using a software system called Computer Aided Transcription or CAT. In real-time court reporting, the stenotype machine is simply connected to computers and as the reporter types in the shorthand symbols, these are instantaneously converted into plain words that appear on television or monitor screens right away.
In voice writing method, a voice writing reporter records what he hears by speaking directly into a Stenomask, which is a hand-held mask with a built-in microphone. He simply repeats testimony or speech word for word by speaking into the mic, the mask prevents him from being heard and also helps block off any background noise. The voice recording is then converted into readable text document by using speech recognition software.
The method of electronic reporting, also called digital court reporting, uses digital audio equipment or analog tape recorders with multi-channel capabilities to record speech. The electronic reporter simply monitors the functioning of the equipment, notes down identity of the speakers, and listens throughout the proceedings to guarantee accuracy and clarity of the recording. The digital recording is then transcribed into written transcript, and can be done either by the reporter himself if he has acquired special skills in electronic transcription, or another person who is a certified transcriber is called on to do transcription.
Each method of court recording requires different training to develop specific skill sets. It’s important to be clear on the method you wish to use if you are thinking about pursuing a career in this field so you can direct your career growth properly. Although court recording does not require a four year degree, it involves technical training, achieving certification designation and continuing education credits.
Employment opportunities for court recording are projected to grow by 10 percent until 2022. Those who wish to work in industries outside of the legal realm can do so in government agencies, in television programming and in broadcasting as long as they possess additional skill sets for broadcast or real-time captioning, Communication Access Real-time Translation (CART), and/or webcasting services. No doubt, there is a bright future ahead if you wish to make a career out of court recording in Whitby.
