Transcription is the process of taking an audio or video file and converting it into text. It is, in essence, the creation of a transcript of spoken language. The words are an exact copy of those in the recording, rendered in the same language as the original. To some, however, the concept behind transcription might seem a bit counterintuitive. Our culture is, after all, heavily-reliant on audio and video mediums, so why clarify a message further with text?
Well, along with creating a written record of a video or audio presentation, transcription assists in ‘cleaning up’ what’s been spoken. It removes the personal ticks or audible distractions that might muddle the verbal elements of a presentation, and eliminates the stumbling or long pauses that occur when the presenter gets a drink of water or needs to collect their thoughts.
Many people are not aware how much transcription is occurring in Australia. Courts, medical facilities, police and conferences all need their spoken audio and videos transcribed. Translationz works with health care professionals, public relations, conference facilities, and the police often to transcribe audio and video files. For instance, some of our work can involve transcribing a 30-second conversation or hours and hours of audio pertaining to police work or conferences.
The Translationz transcription process involves two steps. First, we transcribe the audio from English or another language, and then we are often required to translate it. Having a written word of these audio files makes it easier to identify key details that are often a requirement in court, for instance. Transcription is a very different skill than those employed by courtroom staff, such as subtitling or stenography, or even closed-captioning.
Speech-to-text technology is booming, with the need for it only set to accelerate in the coming years. However, human intervention is still very much at the core of transcription. As an industry leader, we at Translationz use technology to aid our transcription – however humans are always used for further accuracy. Often in police interrogations, for example, the multilingual interviewee will speak in two languages (English and their native language). We often receive files in Vietnamese that we transcribe and then translate into English. Human transcribers and translators can with ease switch from one language to the other, but currently-available technology is not as efficient.
Humans can code-switch, and can discern one language from another much better than contemporary machines are able to do. Often the transcriptions we receive are at times incoherent and garbled, undiscernible nonsense, and have to be cleaned up by a human. Machines can help and provide considerable efficiency and client cost-savings, but are usually not sufficient in most client cases, especially when attention to detail or court evidence is required.
We do, however, use available technologies to speed up the process. Current transcription software can transcribe in a fraction of the time a human can. Often, we use this software and our transcribers will post-edit. Yet in cases when there are multiple speakers or a noisy background, the quality of transcription software falls far short of our clients’ requirements. The software on the market to transcribe without humans work very well in cases of single-speaker audio file that’s in one language (English, for example) when the speaker’s voice is very clear with no background noise and there are no interruptions in the audio.
In most of our work, however, particularly in police situations, background noise with multiple parties and in multiple languages is common. We also provide transcription work for conferences or public relations events where multiple speakers and background noise is the norm. We’ve tested many transcription software solutions and find that while software is improving, it’s yet not good enough for most of our clients’ needs.
There are some web-based transcription services on the market, which offers an option for transcribers to upload an audio file and have it produce a transcription. Translationz doesn’t use these web-based services as most of our clients have confidential files that are unsuitable for the Cloud. We always adhere to the strict confidential requirements of our clients, and these cloud-based solutions are not acceptable. Our in-house software maintains client confidentiality and respect.
Why Are Transcription Services Necessary?
Most companies require mandatory business transcriptions to avoid disputes and potential future lawsuits. Choosing a professional transcription service for your business interactions can help protect and grow your company.
Businesses choosing transcription outsourcing gain additional benefits, such as:
- Professionally-transcribed transcripts that record all important details and avoid debates over trivial issues
- Accurate material for letters and reports to be sent to your clients, customers and shareholders
- Flexibility to repurpose existing digital content (webinars, podcasts and dictations) into books (eBooks/physical books) and courses
- Time and flexibility to create content strategy for SEO and product creation
Another requirement by many government departments is adherence to the Disability Discrimination Act, and smart businesses will look for opportunities to reach more customers. Communication is of vital importance to an open society, yet some people are limited in their ability to hear or possess cognitive disabilities that require information be written down for them to absorb properly. Braille is a form of transcription, in which previously-inaccessible text is placed literally at the client’s fingertips.
Businesses that make audio or visual content available in a text format open themselves up to a much broader customer base. Doing the same for in-house materials also ensures a company avoids violation of workplace discrimination standards. As we already noted, those with cognitive disabilities benefit from transcription, as can those with less severe conditions such as Attention Deficit Disorder, Dyslexia, or other learning impairments.
Transcription is a booming industry. Businesses, media, government, courts and law enforcement often require this type of service on a daily basis – Translationz works with these clients using the latest technologies to bring down cost and provide quality work. For more information about out services, contact us here.