Stenography Theory & Machine Shorthand Systems Flashcards

In machine shorthand, what is the term for a single depression of steno keys that produces one or more sounds?

Answer: Stroke

A stroke is the fundamental unit of machine shorthand — a single motion that produces one or more phonetic elements.

Which side of the steno keyboard contains the keys representing initial consonant sounds that begin syllables?

Answer: Left side

The left bank of a stenotype keyboard holds the initial consonant keys (S, T, K, P, W, H, R) that form the beginning sounds of syllables.

What is a 'brief' in machine shorthand?

Answer: An abbreviated steno outline used for a frequently written word or phrase

A brief (or briefing) is a shortened steno outline that allows reporters to write common words or phrases with fewer strokes, boosting speed.

When a court reporter presses multiple steno keys simultaneously in one motion to form an outline, this is called a:

Answer: Chord

Pressing multiple steno keys at once in a single stroke is called a chord, which is the standard method for producing steno outlines.

What is the primary purpose of the number bar on a steno machine?

Answer: To produce numbers when pressed simultaneously with designated letter keys

The number bar, pressed simultaneously with specific letter keys (1–0 positions), produces numerical digits in the steno output.

In machine shorthand, the term 'theory' refers to which of the following?

Answer: A comprehensive system of rules governing how sounds and words are represented on the steno keyboard

A steno theory is a complete rule system (e.g., StenEd, Phoenix Theory, Magnum Steno) that defines how phonetic sounds map to steno outlines.

In machine shorthand, what is a 'conflict'?

Answer: A situation where two different words produce the same steno outline

A conflict occurs when two distinct words share the same steno outline, requiring the reporter to create an alternate stroke for one of them.