What is Voice Writing?

A voicewriter uses the stenomask in court

What is Voice Writing?

Voice writing is a specialized practice in which court reporters use a stenomask—a device that silences their voice—along with a highly sensitive microphone to record proceedings verbatim. This technique allows voice writers to achieve incredible transcription speeds. Now combined with speech recognition software, voice writers are able to provide accurate real time transcription for court reporting and live captioning.

Voice writing has been around for decades. The practice of speaking a verbatim record into a stenomask was invented in the early 1940s but voice writers weren’t able to be licensed as court reporters in California until 2023.

Certification for Voice Writers

To ensure top-tier performance and accuracy, voice writers can earn the Certified Verbatim Reporter (CVR) certificate through the National Verbatim Writers Association.

In California, voice writers can now also be licensed as court reporters. This license requires passing the Certified Shorthand Reporter (CSR) exam, which holds voice writers and stenographers to the same high standards.

Services Provided by Voice Writers

Voice writers offer the same professional services as stenographers, including:

Real-time transcription for court proceedings, meetings, and other events.
Highly accurate transcriptions delivered quickly and efficiently.
Professionalism and adherence to court procedures: Voice writers are skilled at handling complex and fast-paced environments, maintaining accuracy under pressure, and delivering precise and reliable records.

How is Voice Writing Different from Stenography?

While both voice writers and stenographers share rigorous certification standards, their techniques are distinct:

Stenographers use shorthand machines to capture speech, relying on a specialized stenographic alphabet.
Voice writers use voice recognition technology and a microphone, allowing them to focus on accurate voice recording techniques rather than mastering shorthand.

Despite these differences, both voice writers and stenographers ensure accuracy, professionalism, and high-quality results for their clients.