Amanuensis vs. Scribe — What's the Difference?

Remains relevant in providing accessibility and support for communication.

Played a crucial role in maintaining knowledge and bureaucracy in ancient civilizations.

Provides writing assistance to those who cannot write themselves.

Often held a respected position due to their literacy and skills.

Utilizes both traditional and modern technologies, from shorthand to voice recognition software.

The role of scribes evolved with the invention of the printing press, reducing the need for manual copying.

Often requires knowledge of the subject matter to accurately transcribe or interpret spoken words.

Historically responsible for documenting important events, laws, and religious texts.

Adapts to the specific needs of the person being assisted, including academic, creative, or professional writing.

Required mastery of complex writing systems and languages.

An amanuensis () is a person employed to write or type what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another, and also refers to a person who signs a document on behalf of another under the latter's authority. The term is often used interchangeably with secretary or scribe.

A scribe is a person who serves as a professional copyist, especially one who made copies of manuscripts before the invention of automatic printing.The profession of the scribe, previously widespread across cultures, lost most of its prominence and status with the advent of the printing press. The work of scribes can involve copying manuscripts and other texts as well as secretarial and administrative duties such as the taking of dictation and keeping of business, judicial, and historical records for kings, nobles, temples, and cities.

One who is employed to take dictation or to copy manuscript.

A public clerk or secretary, especially in ancient times.

One employed to take dictation, or copy manuscripts.

A professional copyist of manuscripts and documents.

A clerk, secretary or stenographer, or scribe.

A writer or journalist.

A person whose employment is to write what another dictates, or to copy what another has written.

See scriber.

Someone skilled in the transcription of speech (especially dictation)

To mark with a scriber.

To write or inscribe.

To work as a scribe.

Someone who writes; a draughtsperson; a writer for another; especially, an official or public writer; an amanuensis, secretary, notary, or copyist.

A person who writes books or documents by hand as a profession.^W

(informal) A journalist.

(archaic) A writer and doctor of the law; one skilled in the law and traditions; one who read and explained the law to the people.

A very sharp, steel drawing implement used in engraving and etching, a scriber.

To write.

To write, engrave, or mark upon; to inscribe.

To record, as a scribe.

To write or draw with a scribe.

(carpentry) To cut (something) in order to fit it closely to an irregular surface, as a baseboard to a floor which is out of level, a board to the curves of a moulding, etc.

To score or mark with compasses or a scribing iron.

One who writes; a draughtsman; a writer for another; especially, an offical or public writer; an amanuensis or secretary; a notary; a copyist.

A writer and doctor of the law; one skilled in the law and traditions; one who read and explained the law to the people.

To write, engrave, or mark upon; to inscribe.

To cut (anything) in such a way as to fit closely to a somewhat irregular surface, as a baseboard to a floor which is out of level, a board to the curves of a molding, or the like; - so called because the workman marks, or scribes, with the compasses the line that he afterwards cuts.

To score or mark with compasses or a scribing iron.

To make a mark.

French playwright (1791-1861)

Informal terms for journalists

Someone employed to make written copies of documents and manuscripts

A sharp-pointed awl for marking wood or metal to be cut

Score a line on with a pointed instrument, as in metalworking

Scribes were responsible for writing and keeping records, including legal documents, historical records, and religious texts.

No, amanuenses today may use a range of technologies, including computers and speech-to-text software, to assist in writing.

An amanuensis assists individuals in writing, often due to disabilities or illiteracy, by transcribing spoken words or dictation.

Yes, amanuenses work in various fields, adapting their skills to meet the writing needs of individuals in academic, creative, or professional contexts.

Scribes were crucial for the administration and cultural preservation of ancient civilizations, especially in societies where literacy was not widespread.

Scribes played a key role in preserving knowledge, culture, and legal systems by documenting important information for future generations.

Yes, amanuenses are employed in fields like law and medicine to assist with documentation, often requiring specialized knowledge of the field.

Besides writing skills, an amanuensis needs good listening abilities, understanding of the subject matter, and sometimes knowledge of specific technologies or shorthand.

The traditional role of scribes has diminished with the advent of printing and digital technologies, which automate many of their historical functions.

An amanuensis primarily provides a personalized service to individuals requiring assistance in writing, while scribes historically focused on professional record-keeping and documentation.