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Disclaimer: Please note that any contract is between the client and note taker and not BIVR.
Palantypists, stenographers and pen shorthand writers work in two very distinct areas. What is the difference between a verbatim speech to text reporter and a verbatim reporter/verbatim shorthand writer?
VERBATIM COURT REPORTERS
(Palantypists, Stenographers or Verbatim Shorthand Writers)
By law, a verbatim reporter/shorthand writer is required to make a full and accurate record of proceedings in courts, depositions, arbitrations and tribunals, and produce a transcript afterwards. The transcript they produce will be fully edited and corrected, and can be referred to in subsequent legal/official proceedings. Spelling errors and proper names will be checked. Punctuation will be checked. Any references, quotations or legal authorities cited during the proceedings will be checked.
If a booking is being made primarily to obtain a verbatim transcript for use in subsequent legal proceedings, for circulation to those not present at an event, or for display on the Internet, a verbatim reporter/shorthand writer should be booked. This type of booking does not require a verbatim speech to text reporter.
Most verbatim speech to text reporters will have experience of producing edited transcripts, but the exact nature of their role must be established before each assignment.
Agencies should always ask two specific questions when dealing with a booking request:
- Does this assignment require a verbatim speech to text reporter?
- Will anyone with a hearing loss who requires communication support be attending the booking?
Transcripts which have been properly edited and checked have full legal standing and, therefore, can be circulated and sold. Draft transcripts produced by an STTR for communication support have no legal standing as they have not been edited or checked, and as such should not be circulated other than to deaf users after an STT assignment for a nominal sum.
VERBATIM SPEECH TO TEXT REPORTERS
(Palantypists or Stenographers)
A verbatim speech to text reporter specialises in working with clients with some level of hearing loss. (Palantype or Stenograph are the two systems currently in use in this country.) Their role is to provide an instantaneous realtime text display for their deafened client/s.
The text they produce will be from what they hear at the time, to allow the service user to participate fully, there and then. Upon request, a draft text file only may be provided to a service user afterwards, if they were unable to make notes at the time. There is a nominal charge for this.
A draft text file will usually be spellchecked and skim-read for obvious mishears or errors. No further checking will take place.
It is not part of the STTR's role to provide a transcript to anyone else without prior agreement.
Agencies or event organisers should not book a verbatim speech to text reporter if no deafened clients will be present.
Warning: We have received documentation showing that there is an organisation using the initials BIVR and suggesting that people have won money! Please note, this has nothing to do with us. If you receive such documentation, please throw it in the bin!