When it comes to verbatim UK transcription there are two main types. Knowing the difference between these man types is very important, as this ensures you get the correct transcribed outcome for your requirements.
This article will outline the difference between clean verbatim and true verbatim transcription services, and discuss which industries rely on these different styles of transcription.
Introduction to Clean Verbatim Transcription
Clean verbatim is a refined process of converting spoken language into written form. Verbatim is designed to improve readability by removing unnecessary elements like filler words, stammers, and long pauses, while still preserving the original message’s integrity. This style is particularly valuable across various industries, where clarity and accessibility of transcripts are essential.
What Is A Clean Verbatim Transcription Service?
Clean verbatim transcription is the name given to a transcription service where the audio file or video has been adjusted during the transcription process to make transcripts easier to read and understand.
This is due to the fact that certain aspects of the audio file are not transcribed word for word. Some examples include filler words and non-speech sounds speakers might make, such as ‘hmmm hmm, hmm and uh-huh’ and any throat clearing. This makes each sentence easier to read.
Edited transcription, or intelligent verbatim are also names given to the transcription services which follow these clean verbatim rules.
Why Do Certain Industries Rely On Clean Verbatim Transcription Services?
For many different industries using clean verbatim transcription is the preferred method of transcribing. This is because with clean verbatim you can get the main, necessary points, without having to read filler words and irrelevant words. Clean verbatim also removes any slang words and grammatical errors making them easy to understand what is being said.
Academic transcription and medical transcription are just two transcription types where it is acceptable to use clean verbatim. Focus groups and workshops may also benefit from these clean verbatim rules depending on their desired context.
What Are The Regular Verbatim Transcription Rules?
Regular verbatim, also known as true verbatim, is a word for word transcription service. When transcribing in this way everything is transcribed exactly as it is within the audio or video file.
This means any run on sentences, false starts and incomplete sentences are all included. With this type of strict verbatim any background noise and any other talking you can hear in the background of the audio are often also transcribed.
An example of where this full verbatim transcription rules are used, is for legal transcription.
This is because it is very important that the audio or video files are transcribed using the exact words. This includes filler words such as ‘uh-huh’ as well as any false starts.
In legal documents these non speech sounds can be analysed in numerous ways. For example, if an interviewer asks a potential suspect a question and in their answers they pause, stutter or have trouble forming sentences, as a lawyer you can use this language to help build up a case against them.
This transcript can then be presented to the jury in a court case and used as evidence alongside the original audio file.
At Alphabet our transcriptionists can also add time stamps when questions are asked and answered. Time stamping is a great feature as you can analyse the pause between the questions and when the answer was given.
Transcriptionists who transcribe this type of verbatim have to have great concentration skills and have to be able to pay attention to every sound that can be heard. This includes any other speakers that can be heard in the audio or video. This is to ensure nothing is missed, as this can affect the context of the transcribed text.
Why Is True Verbatim Transcription So Important?
With clean verbatim the words are not featured in the transcript exactly the same way as they are spoken by the speaker in the audio, meaning important information or context could be missed. This is why at Alphabet we strongly believe that true verbatim is the best type of transcribed verbatim.
The type of sounds edited out of these file types can be very important when it comes to deeper analysis of the speech and language. These hmmm hmm sounds, throat clearing and even laughter can often adjust the spoken meaning, so having these present in the sentence is something we feel is really important.
Clean Verbatim Style Guide
The essence of clean verbatim transcription lies in its nuanced approach to editing. Key practices include accurately representing spoken dialogue, enhancing readability by eliminating filler words and stammers, and clearly identifying different speakers without altering the original message. It’s a delicate balance between maintaining the speaker’s intent and ensuring the transcript is easy to follow.
The Process of Clean Verbatim Transcription
Transforming audio into clean verbatim text can be done with verbatim transcription, followed by specialist editing that has the goal to streamline the content. This involves removing superfluous elements that don’t contribute to the overall message, thus making the transcript more reader-friendly. The goal is to retain the essence of the spoken word, ensuring that the final text remains true to the original speech.
How To Transcribe Audio Word For Word
In some audios there are features which are transcribed differently to the way in which they are spoken. This includes numbers, times, and even spoken sounds such as laughter. These are often common factors of interview recordings.
At Alphabet we make sure that every detail is transcribed correctly to ensure your file is 100% accurate. The next part of this article will discuss how to transcribe an interview, or any type of audio so that it is typed out correctly.
Clean Verbatim Laughter – Balancing Authenticity and Readability
In clean verbatim transcription, capturing expressions like laughter involves striking a balance between authenticity and readability. It’s about deciding when and how to include these elements to enrich the narrative without compromising clarity. This balance is essential. This selective approach helps preserve the speaker’s intended emotion and character within the transcript, providing readers with an accurate and engaging representation of the audio content.
How To Transcribe Laughter and Non-Verbal Sounds
Laughter and other non-verbal sounds present unique challenges in clean verbatim transcription. The approach often involves using descriptive brackets, like [laughs] or [laughter], to signify these sounds without disrupting the flow of the text. The key is to convey the atmosphere and emotional context effectively, ensuring the transcript remains engaging and reflective of the original audio
When it comes to transcribing an interview, there are often breaks where speakers laugh. With clean verbatim rules, this laughter would not be transcribed. But with true verbatim, this laughter is included in the final transcript.
The best way to transcribe laughter is by using square brackets. [Laughs] is the best way to indicate a speaker laughing. However, if someone is laughing in the background it would be transcribed as [laughter].
How To Transcribe Numbers
When it comes to transcribing numbers there is a very simple rule. Numbers 1-9 should be written out and numbers past nine should be written in numerals.
The only time this rule does not apply is when we transcribe data like measurements and time. When transcribing measurements and time all numbers should be typed out in their numerical form.
How To Transcribe Hours
When it comes to transcribing time to the hour there are two different ways that this can be done.
The first way to do this is to simply write the time followed by ‘o clock.’ As previously mentioned all numbers of time are typed out in their numerical form.
Alternatively, you can type time out using AM and PM followed by the numerical numbers.
How To Transcribe A Spelled Word
In some audio files, speakers introduce themselves by their name and then spell it out. With clean verbatim rules, this part would probably be edited out of the transcribed document.
However, at Alphabet we would include this. The way we would transcribe this is by simply adding dashes in-between each letter as it is spelled out. For example A-m-a-n-d-a.
The Role of Timestamping in Verbatim Transcription
Timestamping is a crucial feature in both intelligent and true verbatim transcription. It involves adding time markers at regular intervals or at specific points of interest, such as the start of each speaker’s turn. This practice is particularly useful in legal and research contexts, where precise timing can be critical for overall analysis. At Alphabet Transcription, our transcriptionists can add timestamps when questions are asked and answered, which allows for detailed examination of pauses and response times.
The Importance Of Speaker Identification
Accurate speaker identification is vital in transcription to ensure clarity and context. In intelligent transcription, each speaker is clearly identified, which helps in understanding the dialogue flow. This is especially important in multi-speaker environments like focus groups, meetings, and interviews. Proper speaker identification enhances the usability of the transcript by providing clear attributions, making it easier to follow the conversation.
Industry-Specific Applications Of Intelligent Transcription
Different industries have unique transcription needs. For example:
- Academic Transcription: Intelligent transcription is ideal for lectures, seminars, and research interviews, where the focus is on the content rather than the delivery style. It helps in creating readable and accessible documents for students and researchers.
- Medical Transcription: Accuracy and clarity are paramount. Intelligent transcription ensures that medical reports, patient interviews, and clinical notes are easy to understand while maintaining all necessary details.
- Business Transcription: Meetings, conferences, and presentations often require intelligent transcription to provide clear and concise minutes or summaries that highlight key points without extraneous details.
Why Is True Verbatim Transcription So Important?
With intelligent transcription, the words are not featured in the transcript exactly the same way as they are spoken by the speaker in the audio, meaning important information or context could be missed. This is why at Alphabet Transcription, we strongly believe that true verbatim is the best style of transcription for certain contexts.
The types of sounds edited out in intelligent transcription can be crucial for deeper analysis of speech and language. Non-speech sounds like throat clearing, pauses, and even laughter can adjust the spoken meaning, making their presence in the transcript vital for legal and psychological analyses.
To Summarise
To conclude, even though clean verbatim rules give you a transcribed outcome which is not only easier to read, but also easier to understand, it has many limits. Clean verbatim is ideal for industries such as the academic industry, however the legal industry, as well as others, rely heavily on the irrelevant speech and sounds which would be removed in this process.
This is why more companies lean towards the use of true verbatim as you do not risk missing out any important information.
Here at Alphabet Secretarial we are happy to assist you with your transcription enquiries. Contact us today to find out about our transcription services.
