What should you know about transcription? The word transcription comes from the Latin transcriptio. In translation, it means rewriting. As you can easily guess, it is colloquially speaking transferring video or audio recordings to paper. Let’s get a bit closer to this topic.

Types of transcription

Transcription can be used to save recordings of training sessions, interviews, recordings used in court cases, conferences and records of court cases, which in the primary phase are in the form of a video or audio file. As a rule, we can distinguish two main types of transcription. The first type of transcription is verbatim transcription. It is otherwise known as full, which includes transcribed the exact text heard, and thus each word.

In other words, it is a faithful representation of the utterance, taking into account interjections, repetitions, noises, as well as grammatical errors. The second type of transcription is natural transcription. It includes a record of speech, omitting unnecessary elements. So we remove stutters, sighs or interjections and repetitions.

We do this transcription with full grammatical and syntactic correctness. Of course, the meaning of the statement must be preserved.

Transcriber work

Contrary to all appearances and opinions, the work of a transcriber is not easy. But at the same time, it can be enjoyable. It certainly gives a sense of freedom, because it can be provided as freelancing, so we can bask on an exotic island and provide transcription services. However, we should remember that this work is very specific and requires full concentration as well as the highest possible commitment.

It is recommended that a transcriber who provides professional transcription services not only has broad interests, but also has a basic knowledge of foreign languages. Unfortunately, one language will not be enough. The features of a good transcriber also include a lot of motivation to work, knowledge of the rules of the native language and the ability to write quickly is very important.

Where did all these requirements come from? It has already been explained that in addition to verbatim transcription, standard transcriptions are very often performed which require the transcriber to edit the correct text. What can we expect from a professional? Certainly, he will know the current languages, which will enable him to perform the correct transcription also of such recordings that contain words and expressions in a foreign language. This person should also be characterized by versatile interests. This may seem a bit bizarre at first glance, but taking into account that the recordings intended for transcription come from various fields and industries.

It is much easier to do your job when you know the basic terminology or the scope of a specific profession. This will make it easier and faster for us to complete the task. The basic features of a good transcriber include the ability to write very quickly and a great knowledge of correct Polish. All these premises hardly require a comment. They’re just obvious.

The transcriptionist should also be patient. Unfortunately, transcribing the recording is very laborious.

In addition to rewriting, there is also a correction waiting for us. Timeliness is also extremely important. Attention to detail is also important in this profession. A seemingly minor error can completely change the meaning of a statement.

The passion for work itself is also important. Finally, we would like to convey a very important point. The point is that the transcriber is obliged to keep the data confidential, to which he is obliged by law, and professional ethics.

What are the advantages of working on transcripts?

There is no denying the fact that the work of a transcriber can be an extremely developmental activity. Why? The point is that these days, transcriptions of a wide variety of recordings are recommended. We are talking here about conferences and meetings of enterprises, non-governmental organizations, schools and other institutions of various kinds.

We can meet with the recording of the content of ideas, ideas or books before they are written. The recordings touch on a very different matter.

As you can easily guess, the transcriber is not limited to only one field, and at the same time he is obliged to expand his knowledge on very different grounds. One day he deals with marketing, then psychology, and ends the week with technical transcription. Despite the apparent impression that it is a tedious job, it can be really fascinating.

However, work is not all advantages. Transcribers face many problems, mainly poor quality of the recording, which means that we have to listen to the recording many times and distinguish the voices of the interlocutors. This is not an easy task. It’s worth a try though. Perhaps it will turn out to be our way of life, which will turn out to be more pleasant than working full-time.

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