HOW VERBATIM REPORTING WORKS

Verbatim Reporting is done through two systems, Palantype and Stenograph. These two systems work in exactly the same way; the Verbatim Reporter listens to the speech, keys in their code and the computer, using a special dictionary, outputs the English text. Even though these two systems work in exactly the same way, they use completely different coding languages and different software and hardware.

The images below show the Palantype keyboard on the left and the Stenograph keyboard on the right.

"Speech To Text Reporting" is another name for Verbatim Reporting. They are both one and the same. This is not to be confused with, "SpeedText" which is a summary of the speech, rather than verbatim. SpeedText is a trade name for a particular software produced and copyrighted by the RNID.

Verbatim or Speech To Text Reporting is undertaken by a highly trained operator using a special Palantype or Stenograph keyboard attached to a laptop which the reader uses, whereas SpeedText uses two laptops and is often used for notetaking in an educational setting. Verbatim Reporting is used at conferences where it is displayed on to a large screen through to small one-to-one meetings where the user reads directly from the laptop computer. SpeedText is very rarely used at conferences.

For information on either the manufacturing of Palantype keyboards and software or where to learn how to become a Palantypist contact Possum Controls on 01296 461101 and www.possum.co.uk

A highly trained Verbatim Reporter listens and records speech exactly on a special shorthand machine keyboard, (Palantype or Stenograph). Unlike a typewriter several keys are pressed at once to form chords, like playing the piano. These chords are based on word sound rather than spelling and each chord may represent a syllable, word or complete phrase.

The output of the shorthand machine is fed directly into a computer system that turns the chords back into English using a special dictionary created by the Verbatim Reporter. The whole process takes just 2 or 3 seconds. The resulting English transcript is normally at least 97% correctly spelt with the remaining words spelt roughly as they sound. The quality of transcript depends on several factors including the clarity of the speaker, how fast they are speaking and the complex terminology. It can also be improved if the Verbatim Reporter has the opportunity to review any special vocabulary required, particularly names and acronyms, before the meeting.

VISUAL PRESENTATION OF SPEECH
SUBTITLING