Articles

   By Sarah E. Vestrat, CSR

 (Previously published in NCRA's Journal of Court Reporting)

     Howard Gardner, professor of education at Harvard Graduate School of Education, wrote in 1985 Frames of Mind, which explained his controversial theory of multiple intelligences.  This theory challenged standard IQ tests by proposing that every human being has seven (later he added an eighth) intelligences.     He defined intelligence as the capacity to solve a problem or to create something that is valued in one or more cultures.   

     In his later work published in 1999, Intelligence Reframed - Multiple Intelligences for the 21st Century, he offered, as he said, a "more refined" definition.  He defined intelligence as "a biopsychological potential to process information that can be activated in a cultural setting to solve problems or create products that are of value in a culture."  

     The eight intelligences proposed by Gardner are linguistic, logical-mathematical, spatial, bodily kinesthetic, musical, interpersonal, intrapersonal and naturalist.  Being aware of and understanding the multiple intelligences, he suggests, can aid us in learning, teaching and developing skills.  Of these eight intelligences, I believe the successful court reporter must excel in the following four:  linguistic, bodily kinesthetic, interpersonal and intrapersonal.

     Linguistic intelligence involves the use and understanding of language.  A large vocabulary plus exceptional grammar and punctuation are obvious strengths necessary to the court reporter.  But the ability to translate one language to another, that is, English to shorthand, not only mentally but physically as well, at speeds oftentimes exceeding 225 wpm, is truly a linguistic feat.  

     Dancers, athletes and surgeons are gifted with bodily kinesthetic intelligence; they are able to use their bodies with skill.  The court reporter is gifted with this talent as well. The speedy English-to-shorthand language translation must begin in the brain and end with the physical dexterity and coordination of the fingers upon the stenograph machine.

     Interpersonal intelligence refers to the capacity to interact with others and understand the subtleties of their behavior that tell us how they are feeling or what they are trying to express.  The court reporter's job is very social and involves people from a broad range of backgrounds and occupations.  Effective communication and professionalism are vital.  Knowing when to speak and when to listen are qualities needed not only for successful personal and business relationships, but are crucial to the procedural nuances of the deposition and the role of the court reporter. 

     Personal reflection and meditation can reveal and develop your inner strengths, values and opinions.  It can also make us aware of our weaknesses as well.  Persons who have strong intrapersonal intelligence are capable of this deep, solitary, personal reflection.  It can manifest itself in the work of writers, lawyers, CEOs or any profession that requires a great deal of solitary work and thought.  This capacity for solitary work is needed for the court reporter to make it through the many hours necessary for each deposition and to achieve the final product.  Completing an accurate transcript requires the ability to think broadly and to understand subject matter that is unfamiliar and sometimes complicated.  

     Most people use all of the intelligences to a certain extent, of course.  Gardner states in Frames of Mind, "Owing to heredity, early training, or, in all probability, a constant interaction between these factors, some individuals will develop certain intelligences far more than others; but every normal individual should develop each intelligence to some extent, given but a modest opportunity to do so,"

     To succeed in a profession that requires a specific intelligence, that intelligence must be highly developed.  Scientists, computer analysts and mathematicians require exceptional logical-mathematical intelligence which is the ability to think logically and use numbers.  

     Spacial intelligence is an attribute of artists, pilots and even chess players.  Their professions rely on a strong visual and spatial adaptation to their surroundings.  

     Musical intelligence refers to the capacity to think musically, to hear rhythms, tones and patterns in music.  Creating and manipulating these rhythms, tones and patterns is a trait of the musically gifted.

     Botanists and zoologists have an exceptional ability to distinguish between living things and features in the natural world.  Gardner calls this the naturalist intelligence, which is the last intelligence he added -- so far.

     This theory of multiple intelligences is controversial and criticized by many scholars.  But Gardner maintains that intelligence cannot be measured just in terms of IQ tests which focus on only a few of the brain's capacities.  And he says all cultures don't value the same abilities equally; many abilities that have value are not and cannot be measured on a multiple-choice test.  In spite of the controversy, many schools have adopted his theory and have developed teaching methods that compliment each child's stronger intellligence to increase learning potential. 

     Court reporting is certainly valued in our culture, but not everyone appreciates or understands the "multiple intelligences" required for this profession.  But we learned it in court reporting school, and we learned it on the job:  One must develop exceptional knowledge, talent and skill -- in multiple areas -- to become and to succeed as a court reporter.  

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