Everything you need to know about transcripts
Many people have come across the slogan “transcripts” at least once in their lifetime. However, not everyone is fully aware of what exactly it means and what activities are behind it. So let’s get acquainted with it now!
What are transcripts?
Transcriptionit is a system of writing the sounds of a specific language with the help of graphic symbols – in accordance with the definition of linguistics. Another form of it is the transformation of an audio or audiovisual recording into a text form. Therefore, there is nothing heavy and mysterious behind it. Interviews that a journalist conducts with a well-known (or less known) person, records them on a dictaphone and then writes them down are primarily associated with transcriptions. Sometimes these interviews take the form of a dialogue between two people, but sometimes group interviews are conducted. Mostly, such conversations take place on neutral ground, for example on a racetrack, in a cafe, restaurant or in the city, so that murmurs, noise and other disturbances are very often heard on the recordings. Then there may be problems with listening to and understanding the statements.If, on the other hand, the interlocutor has a speech impediment or slurred speech, the transcriber may have additional trouble.
We also deal with transcriptions when it is necessary to rewrite or subtitle statements from films of various types, so that the deaf person can be aware of what the actors are saying at a given moment. Transcripts are also of interest to students who need the written form of spoken lectures. Usually they are recorded on a dictaphone, and then students try to transform them into valuable notes, thus saving the nerves and time for writing words into the words of the lecturer.
Who uses the transcription services?
Most of all, the transcription is used by lawyers, doctors, students and journalists. In a word – people who need a professional transcriber to convert recordings into written form. In this way, you can save not only time, but also get a professional and clear record. So it is a great help for some professional groups. Interviews, lectures, meetings, hearings and other recordings can be easily analyzed in the form of a ready, text transcript. It takes much more time to analyze voice recordings.
Who is the transcriber?
A transcriber – to put it simply – is a person who rewrites the auditioned recordings and transforms them into text files. Contrary to appearances, it is not as simple a job as it might seem. It exhausts not only mentally but also physically, and also requires scrupulousness and accuracy. You also need the ability to read emotions, the ability to type on the keyboard without looking at it, error-free typing and speed. Moreover, not all recordings are loud and clear, nor do you hear any murmurs. Often times, the transcriber has to focus and listen to what he or she is currently doing. However, it is not easy and often takes a lot of time.
How much does the transcription cost?
People who have used the help and services of transcribers may notice that the prices of the services vary widely. This is due to several factors. First of all, each transcriber has their own individual rates, depending on experience and professionalism. Secondly – as already mentioned – not all recordings are nice, loud and legible, therefore their quality also affects the final cost of the transcription . Often shorter recordings consume much more time than recordings twice as long. The rate for the implementation, therefore, varies from the quality of the recording and the amount of noise that occurs.
Each subscriber has their own prices, so be sure to ask them about the rate before you decide to work with them. You can also compare several offers so that you have a clear overview of the situation and not be deceived or tricked into paying much more than it is actually worth.
Can I make transcriptions myself?
Many people wonder if using the help of transcribers is mandatory and whether it is possible to do it yourself. Of course you can, but it requires a lot of patience and time. It is also important to transcribe in a quiet environment. No screams or noises as they can seriously disrupt the reading of the recordings and also affect what we write in text form. So if the conditions do not allow us to perform this task, it is worth – despite everything – to contact a professional. Then we can be absolutely sure that the transcriptions will be made reliably and at the appropriate level. Their implementation will be quick, and the analysis – as precise as possible. We, in turn, will not lose our nerves and we can spend time on much more pleasant things than the analysis of recordings. So you should think about such a solution,before we decide to act on our own.
