Stenographers - an obsolete lot?

Monday, July 23, 2007


This is in response to Vikram Bhatia’s blog “Has shorthand outlived its utility? Thanks, to computers and high-tech? posted on Monday, July 23, 2007. [The conditions for successfully posting a response in the comments slot are getting somewhat mysterious. More often than not only a blank slot stares at you!]


I am a professional stenographer and have been one since I was 19 years old. I am now 52. The advent of the PC has been a boon in the sense that the tension of transcription no longer exists. Before, a single mistake and the whole page might have had to be retyped or corrected using a "whitener", with ugly scars showing. I always tell myself the PC has been a boon most to typists and accountants. How tension-free our lives have become. That we still find other things to tense ourselves with is another matter.

Stenographers are becoming a rare breed. That august institute of Stenographers, Daver's in Mumbai, now, I understand, turns out only a sprinkling of stenos.

Bombay was the dream city for stenos and most came from the South. Bal Thackeray had once wryly commented about South Indians having conquered Bombay at the speed of 140 wpm!

Though in most offices stenographers have become obsolete, those offices that have them treat them like treasure. Maybe this was always the case because stenographers were one class who always could chuck-off their job on whim as they were in demand everywhere. Now, of course, they have become a rare commodity and so all the more precious!

Thus I wonder, am I about the last generation of stenographers? I hope not, because when a great 'dictator' tilts his head in deep thought and creates the magic of literary expression, the artiste across him captures the magic in mystical strokes and curves and ensures the enchanting prose lives to cast its spell over its targeted audience. May the best of literary minds realize the value of a steno as a sensitive aid(e) to his thoughtful outpourings and may the tribe of stenos be re-bred and grow in strength!
7:07:41 PM
Posted By Venu Gopal Comments (0) Uncategorized

Monday, July 23, 2007
Has shorthand outlived its utility? Thanks, to computers and high-tech?
This is a debate on a subject which might interest mainly people in or linked with stenographic profession? My question to such people on the net is whether shorthand has outlived its utility to computers and high tech gadgetry like the Dictaphones etc.?
Twenty years back, the P.A.or steno in govt.offices/psus/or private offices quietly took down the notes in shorthand from his or her boss and simply typed them in the required format that is letters/notings/draftings etc. He enjoyed doing so, because his skills in fast writing were tested and he enjoyed the challenge whether in Govt.service, Courts, Parliament or offices of public/private undertakings. With the passage of time, the high tech gadgetry and advanced aides like the Dictaphones, computers etc.took over. Slowly but surely there was less number of dictations in shorthand and people with high speed in the skill slowly began to think about the utility of the skill they had acquired over a period of time. Today, with the little bit of exception of reporters in parliament taking notes in shorthand (roughly at the speed of 130 to 150 w.p.m)during the proceedings or debates (though now they also are supported by recorded version )or the laywers/advocates in courts, who dictate in shorthand to their P.A.s/stenos in fast speed for the latter to type out these court cases-petitions etc.on computers, does the need for shorthand skill, seems to be eroding slowly otherwise in other offices, thanks mainly to the high-tech invasion in all walks of life.
Or is it still in man?s own hands whether how he uses or maintains the skill of fast writing i.e. in shorthand to his own advantage inspite of the high tect gadgetry available to him or plainly dump the art and outstanding skills that were invented by Lord Ganesha (it is so presumed by many) while writing the epic Mahabharata dictated by Sage Sh.Ved Vyasa? All views sincerely discussed & posted are welcome. VIKRAM BHATIA, N.Delhi
4:53:19 PM
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