Stressing over hearing the correct words

I'm kind of stressing over something that I believe I will run into in the future when I start to do depositions and eventually work in court.. 

I've done a lot of intern court hours, and a lot of the time when the judge asks for the attorneys to state their name and who they represent, they talk so fast and mumble that I don't even know what they're saying. I don't know if that's bad listening skills on my part, or what, but I feel like other people are able to get what they say. For example, sometimes in school our readers will mumble or say a word that I feel like I should know what they're saying, and then 5 seconds later I will think, "Oh, THAT'S what they said." I don't know if it's a problem on my part, or if it's normal. I know realistically I won't get 100% of what everyone says, but still, I guess my perfectionist qualities are coming out again. 

I know I'm supposed to interrupt any time I don't understand or hear what someone says, but I don't want to interrupt a million times just because I think I sometimes have bad listening skills and can't figure out what they're saying. It's even gotten to the point where I'm questioning myself "Do I have bad hearing?" "Do I need to get my ears checked to see if I'm hearing properly?" "Is this profession the right one for me if I can't even make out what they're saying?" Not sure if this is a problem you will run into all the time, or if I'm stressing over nothing.

StenoGirl, it is not you.  It's THEM!  Yes, mumbling is the dominant form of verbal communication these days, but it's not a new phenomenon.  Pengad (a court reporting supply company) used to sell Post-It pads that read "No Mumbling!"  and other items with court reporter-specific tag lines that we relate to.

This November will mark my 35th year as a Court Reporter.  I have noticed a marked deterioration in the verbal skills of attorneys and witnesses alike.  Examples are trailing off at the end of a sentence, spewing out a question or answer without taking a breath, and the ever popular interrupting the question or the answer.

You will learn the vernacular of the different subject matters that you will be reporting.  Then you will feel comfortable when the speech gremlins attack an attorney or a witness. 

I'd like to share this tip with you.  If you feel uncomfortable asking for clarification (I never call it interrupting) due to the situation you are in, which often happens, don't worry.  That word or phrase will probably come up again later on during the session.  Also, you can use  audio backup but I wouldn't rely on it.  Sometimes the audio doesn't pick up what you didn't hear.  I do use audio backup when I report public hearings and board meetings because I cannot ask the speakers to repeat themselves, and I do find the audio is a great help in those situations.

I hope this makes you feel better.  Being a perfectionist is a trait that is well suited for the Court Reporting profession.  I wish you all the best and lots of work.

All of us have that happen probably more times than we'd like to admit.  When I have that ah-ha moment 5 seconds later, I quickly write it in my notes that such-and-such was such-and-such.  If you can't figure it out, jot down something quickly on a scratch pad to ask for clarification at a break.  Honestly, the attorneys and judge would rather you ask and get it right.  Chances are, they didn't understand either!  Don't worry!  If you're a perfectionist, you're in the perfect job. 

It happens to all of us.  I've been reporting for 14 years.  I just had a depo where the witness talked too low and also mumbled.  I kept interrupting him, and the attorneys didn't mind at all.  There was even one time I didn't understand what he said, nor the attorney, but before I could ask him to repeat, the attorney did, then the witness wanted the question repeated, so I never got an answer.  In the 14 years of reporting that has never happened to me, but I'm hoping I will be able to listen to the audio and see if I can make it out just so I have some kind of answer. 

As for court, that is one of the reasons why I never went to work in the court system, but in talking to the official reporters they all assured me I would get to know who is who and be able to make out the mumbles.   Also you can get the attorneys information from the clerk in the room.  I would definately go work in the courts if I were you.  I feel I have limited myself by not doing so right out of school.  If you try court and also depositions, you won't be afraid to do anything. 

Thanks so much, everyone, for reading my long post and taking your time out to give me encouraging words.  I feel a whole lot better now. :)