Audio Transcription is the process of taking spoken words on an audio or video recording and converting them into written text.
Basic transcription involves only 1 language;
English audio converted into English text.
Foreign language transcription includes a translation element;
Converts audio heard in one language into written text in another language.
Foreign Language Transcription FAQs:
1. How much work is needed to complete a transcription?
There are various factors that determine the amount of work needed in order to complete a transcription; however, generally speaking, 1 minute of audio takes about 25 minutes of work.
1 minute of audio = 25 minutes of work
The linguist will play the audio multiple times and, at first, record what was heard in the source language before compiling the translation of the content. Some segments of the audio might be challenging and may require multiple repetitions using different equipment, headsets, and volume adjustments. In spite of these attempts, some audio portions may still be found inaudible. Additionally, certain terminology or slang might require in-depth research.
2. What influences turnaround time?
The biggest influence determining turnaround time is the quality of the audio provided. Audio that contains many speakers, background noise, overlapping voices, and highly obscure or technical content usually takes more time to transcribe than clear, crisp audio.
3. What turnaround time should I expect?
Transcription is very demanding work and requires frequent breaks. If your audio requires 8 hours of work, DO NOT expect the transcriber to finish it in 1 day. The linguist would not be able to produce an accurate, quality transcript in just one sitting. Usually, no more than 30-45 minutes of work can be completed successfully at one given time and no more than 2 to 3 hours per day. Often, the transcriber will also need extra time to collaborate with other linguists on certain nuances and decide on the best translation.