FAQs about STTRs

A lot of people are curious about this. This is why we have prepared this Q and A sheet.

Speech to Text Reporting is a process of Verbatim Computer- Aided Transcription.

It is NOT voice recognition or predictive text.

So how does it work then?
You have to have.....A trained Reporter taking down the verbatim spoken word on a Palantype or Stenograph keyboard. The specially trained Reporter types what she/he hears onto the Palantype / Stenograph keyboard.

This is not typing every letter but words, phrases and shortcuts (thus enabling it to be verbatim.) The computer programme then translates into English, which then appears on the laptop screen / projector screen. There is not an Oxford English Dictionary in the computer. Therefore, when words are new to the computer, it translates the typed text into what it thinks is being typed, and this then appears phonetically.

A lot of people think it is very odd writing on a keyboard that has no letters.

This is because I am a trained Reporter writing phonetically
i.e. writing syllabically not letter by letter.

How fast are you?
A trained Reporter can write in excess of 200 wpm.

Why do you do this and what is it for?
My job is to simultaneously translate the spoken word into English and ensure that it is displayed for a D/deaf reader to view. This enables the D/deaf person to follow proceedings on an equal footing with their colleagues.

STTRs (speech to text reporters) cover exactly the same kinds of events as sign language interpreters and lip speakers, i.e. conferences, interviews, one to one sessions etc.

Are you paid for this?
Yes. It is my full time paid occupation.

Are you monitored?
Yes. It is recognised as a registered occupation by the CACDP (Council for the Advancement of Communication with Deaf People).

Is it the same system as used for live TV subtitles?
Yes.

How do you train for this?
All Registered STTRs originally trained in Court. (STTR = Speech to Text Reporters) It takes up to 2 years to train as a Court Reporter, however to work for the D/deaf STTRs need at least 4 years court experience.