A stenographer is someone who uses shorthand to transcribe speech into written form, which is common in legal and media environments. Modern stenographers use specialized stenotype machines with 22 keys, which allow them to type approximately 300 words per minute by catching syllables rather than individual letters. Despite advances in digital transcription, human stenographers remain indispensable due to their ability to reliably capture speech even under difficult audio situations. This skill is especially important in court processes when accuracy is essential.