The process that involves capturing dictation word for word, including every verbal sound and converting the same into text format is known as verbatim transcription. Transferring everything from an audio file in exactly the very way it was delivered, this requires including even the pauses and silences, apart from non-verbal utterances.
Essential Qualities Expected of Verbatim Transcriptionists
Requiring each sound and even silences to be conveyed in exactly the same way as found in the source file, verbatim transcription requires certain special qualities from the side of the transcription professional. Primary need is that it demands great attention to detail and keen ear for understanding the original data.
Role of Verbatim Transcriptionist
Precision is the key requirement in transcription process related to any industry. It is the responsibility of the verbatim transcriptionist to capture and record accurately all the words and sounds as they occur in the base file. Only the most skilled transcription professionals will be able to come up with a comprehensive text output of every event and sound that occurs explicitly, including even the exclamations and non-verbal communication.
Basic Rules of Verbatim Transcription
- Capturing each and every word correctly is key: Verbatim transcription is required for academic and research purposes generally. This necessitates conveying what has been uttered and whatever sounds have been produced in the same way. Presenting the general idea of the dictation through paraphrasing is not appropriate here.
- Non-verbal methods of communication must be considered: Apart from the core exchange of information using words, several ideas and views are expressed through non-verbal communications such as pauses, hand gestures, and laughter. Such events and even repetitions and grammatical errors need to be captured and presented, as they are vital in conveying the thought process and mood behind the original words of the speaker.
- False starts and fillers must be included in the transcripts: Speakers often use fillers such as ‘um’, ‘ah’, and ‘oh’ for taking time to think, during the process of talking. These as well as the false starts – the incomplete sentences that are spoken by speakers need to be conveyed as they appear, in order to provide insights about the speakers’ thinking process.
- External sounds carry their own meaning: What happens around when a speaker delivers his speech is also important, as the external noises such as people walking, a door opening, or conversation between participants on the side prove useful in market researches and qualitative researches.
In addition to trying and capturing the perception and meaning of the dictation or interview in its entirety, the context in which these have been delivered also needs to be efficiently passed on to the users.
Rapid Care Transcription Pvt Ltd is the pioneers in transcription services in the Indian sub-continent. We have separate teams of professionals to handle different types of client needs.
We help students and research scholars by providing accurate transcripts of interviews and other dictations. You may logon to www.rapidcare.net for getting more details on various transcription solutions provided by us.
