Saddam Hussein This page is still under construction.
The person in our trade who creates the dictations is called a dictator.
However, that term arouses thoughts of Saddam Hussein (see above), Adolf Hitler, Romania's Nicolae Ceausescu, and Joseph Stalin. History is replete with dictators, including the notorious Ramses II (Pharaoh), Ahasuerus (Xerxes I), and his sidekick Haman. Yes, the honor roll can go on and on.
Those people did get things done, but it is doubtful that they spent their time dictating documents to be transcribed. To his credit, Ahasuerus did ask to read his book of chronicles. Unfortunately, the rest of the Book of Esther gives no evidence that he was bright (or sober) enough to do more than hold a bottle of good liquor.
Are you a dictator? If so, then you know who you are.
However, this website will make every attempt to use terminology that avoids the word that is used so commonly in the trade.
In April 2006, the Transcribing forum recommended the use of the following alternative words:
We also considered "dictationist." However, that word implies a specialist in the field, and those who record documents rarely have academic training in that art.
Nonetheless, we understand that some of you who feel that the original appellation continues to be more appropriate for your own needs. You may even want to try out some other options, such as Big Brother, despot, fuehrer, oppressor, strongman, totalitarian, tyrant, authoritarian, autocrat, or martinet.
If these options fit you, then we can certainly say,
"Yes, sir!
wanted to write his memoirs,
so he asked his guard
for a stenographer.
The guard returned
with a laptop computer instead.
"No, thanks," Saddam said.
"I'm a dictator."
– Source unknown
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