Do you need to transcribe an audio file or video? Let’s stop there — before you get any further, you have to decide what kind of transcription services you need.
Generally speaking, transcription is a process that converts spoken words into text. Businesses, professors, doctors, and scientists use transcription services to create a written record of conversations or presentations.
A deeper look at this service shows there are different ways to capture speech, and each method creates a unique record with different perks and limitations.
What your record ultimately includes in terms of speech patterns, music, and other noises depends on the kind of transcription you choose. To help you decide which option is the best fit for your needs, keep scrolling. Here are three kinds of transcription methods used today by experts.
Verbatim Transcription Services
A verbatim transcription of speech produces one of the most detailed versions of a conversation. Its goal is to capture not just what people say but how they say it. As a result, it’s also known as true or strict verbatim.
When a transcriber from LingArch has a verbatim project, their final copy will include every word as it is spoken on the file. That means if the speaker has false starts or uses filler words, the transcription services from LingArch will write out every “like”, “um”, and “ah” included in the speech.
Verbatim transcriptions will also include pauses, stuttering, non-verbal communication, and any grammatical or pronunciation mistakes. It may even contain relevant background noises, such as audience and ambient noises.
Due to its detail, a verbatim transcription best suits projects that can’t afford to overlook a single sound. Legal work and court proceedings benefit most from its unabridged version of the audio.
Edited Transcription Services
An edited transcription is a slightly more polished version of verbatim services. It also captures every word spoken within the file, but it removes any words or sounds that don’t add meaning to the conversation.
Transcribers will create a complete copy of the text that retains its original meaning, but they’ll edit it for readability. That means an edited version will not indicate when a speaker pauses or nods, and it won’t include any filler words or stuttering like a verbatim transcription.
An edited service is best used when you intend to share your transcription with clients, students, or other members of the public. You need it to read smoothly but still maintain a high level of accuracy.
Intelligent Transcription Services
Intelligent transcription services are so-called because it requires the transcriber to make executive decisions regarding how to communicate the meaning behind the speech. In intelligent transcription, the goal isn’t to create a word-for-word copy of the audio; it aims to communicate the core message of the speech as clearly as possible.
Intelligent services won’t include background noises, non-verbal communication, or vocal quirks like stutters and filler words. This means a transcriber may drop entire phrases, correct grammatical errors, or even restructure syntax to create a more concise version of the audio.
This kind of transcription service is best used when a detailed analysis of the speech isn’t necessary. It suits sharable projects that require a document that’s easy to read.
Which One Will You Use?
Whether you need help transcribing medical reports, court interviews, TV shows and live broadcasts, or e-learning modules, you have a choice to make. Which of the three audio transcription services you use largely depends on your industry, as well as your intended use of the final document.
If you still aren’t sure which kind of service you need, ask your transcription service representative. They’ll point you in the right direction.
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