A stenographer is a professional who specializes in transcribing spoken words into written text using shorthand or a stenotype machine. This role is essential in various settings, including courtrooms, business meetings, and conferences, where accurate and fast transcription is required. Stenographers must have excellent listening skills and a strong command of language to capture dialogue quickly and accurately. In addition to transcription, stenographers may also provide real-time captioning for live events, making information accessible to individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. Their work often involves collaboration with legal professionals, such as judges and lawyers, as well as other fields like journalism and broadcasting, where precise documentation is crucial.