A transcription network having linked computer terminals for a court reporter and for examining, defending, and associate attorneys is disclosed. Cross-reference libraries, phoneme libraries, phoneme dictionaries, and pronunciation indices are used by a reporter terminal to generate readable text transcripts which are communicated to the other terminals for real-time review. Cross-reference libraries provide for the bulk of the transcription while stenographic keystrokes that cannot be directly transcribed are converted to phoneme text or other pronounceable form for down-line readability. A common cross-reference library is provided to supplement local cross-reference libraries to aid transcription and to provide for standardization. The reporter terminal provides for update and preparation of the local cross-reference libraries using case law and evidence prior to a proceeding, as well as provides key-stroke training for the court reporter. Foreign language tables are also provided to service proceedings involving two or more languages.