CBC Realtime Writing & Stenography Fundamentals 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is CAT software in the context of stenographic captioning?
- Software that automatically generates captions using AI speech recognition
- Computer-Aided Transcription software that translates steno strokes into text (Correct answer)
- A program that checks completed transcripts for spelling errors
- Software used to manage broadcast scheduling and caption timing
Correct answer: Computer-Aided Transcription software that translates steno strokes into text
CAT (Computer-Aided Transcription) software receives steno keystrokes and translates them in real time into readable text using the captioner's personal dictionary.
Question 2: What does 'phonetic writing' mean in steno theory?
- Writing words exactly as they appear in the dictionary
- Encoding words based on how they sound rather than standard spelling (Correct answer)
- Writing only the first letter of each word for speed
- Using symbols to represent entire sentences at once
Correct answer: Encoding words based on how they sound rather than standard spelling
Phonetic writing in steno means encoding words according to their sounds rather than conventional spelling, forming the core principle of stenographic theory.
Question 3: What is a 'personal dictionary' in broadcast captioning?
- A private vocabulary reference list kept in a notebook by the captioner
- The customized CAT software database mapping a captioner's specific steno strokes to words (Correct answer)
- A glossary of technical terms provided by a broadcast client
- A list of proper nouns and names common to news broadcasts
Correct answer: The customized CAT software database mapping a captioner's specific steno strokes to words
A personal dictionary is the captioner's customized database within CAT software that maps their individual steno outlines to the correct output words, making it unique to each captioner.
Question 4: Which organization offers the Certified Realtime Reporter (CRR) credential that is relevant to broadcast captioning professionals?
- National Association of Broadcasters (NAB)
- National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) (Correct answer)
- American Captioning Institute (ACI)
- Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE)
Correct answer: National Court Reporters Association (NCRA)
The NCRA (National Court Reporters Association) offers the CRR credential, which validates a professional's ability to produce accurate realtime text used in broadcast captioning.
Question 5: What is the primary technique experienced stenographers use to minimize untranslates?
- Typing at a slower pace to ensure all strokes register correctly
- Regular dictionary maintenance and continuously adding new briefs (Correct answer)
- Using only standard phonetic outlines and avoiding custom briefs
- Relying on spell-check software to correct errors after each session
Correct answer: Regular dictionary maintenance and continuously adding new briefs
Regular dictionary maintenance—adding new entries, resolving conflicts, and building targeted briefs—is the primary method for reducing untranslates and improving realtime accuracy.
Question 6: In steno writing, what does 'stacking' refer to?
- Writing multiple briefs in rapid succession during a fast-talking segment
- Pressing multiple keys simultaneously on the steno machine to form a single stroke (Correct answer)
- Organizing layers of transcript text for post-broadcast editing
- A backup writing method used when the primary steno machine malfunctions
Correct answer: Pressing multiple keys simultaneously on the steno machine to form a single stroke
Stacking refers to the simultaneous depression of multiple keys on the steno keyboard in a single stroke, which is the fundamental mechanical action of stenographic writing.
Question 7: When building steno briefs for a specialized broadcast subject (e.g., medical, legal), what is the best practice?
- Use the same briefs as general-purpose writing to avoid confusion
- Research subject-specific terminology beforehand and create targeted briefs before the broadcast (Correct answer)
- Spell out every specialized term letter by letter for maximum accuracy
- Ask a colleague to handle specialized segments while you manage general dialogue
Correct answer: Research subject-specific terminology beforehand and create targeted briefs before the broadcast
Researching and building subject-specific briefs before a broadcast minimizes untranslates and latency when domain-specific terminology appears during realtime captioning.
CBC Realtime Writing & Stenography Fundamentals 2
What is CAT software in the context of stenographic captioning?