What is Transcription and Its Types? (2024)

November 19, 2017 2 min read By Cogito Tech. 691 views

Transcription is the process of converting audio or video into text format. The conversion can be done on any written format like over a word document and many transcription services companies offer word-perfect transcription in which every single word spoken is written down including expressions or exclamation reactions or other similar words.

As per the experts, the process of transcription is far more than turning speech into text or written language. And now it has reached the next level by using automatic speech recognition technology, human transcriptionists, or with the combination of both resources.

Read More: How to Transcribe an Audio Recording to Text for Free?

Types of Transcriptions

The types of transcription are mainly categorized into three types – verbatim, edited and intelligent transcription. All these transcriptions can be used for audio or video files only the process could be different, depending upon the requirements and resource availability.

The First Kind Verbatim Transcription – is considered the most complicated and time-consuming process. This process is also expensive because it involves making sure each word spoken word, every emotion, laughs, shouting, background noise, even muttered or murmuring or jumbled sentences or words is transcribed carefully and time-codded in the written format making it like a replica of audio or video file as recorded. Such transcription is mainly used for legal records or movies, films, and video commercials, etc.

Read More: Why You Need to Use Audio Transcription Service in Your Business?

The Second Type of TranscriptionEdited Transcriptions are often used when the transcriber can omit the parts from the video or audio file, without disturbing the meaning of the recording does not change at all. Though, this type of transcription is time-consuming as the transcriber must know what is important to keep into adios or video files and what is not important. Edited transcriptions require the transcriber to understand the sense or purpose of the video or audio file and just clean up the odds of retaining the reliability of the audio or video file. Such kinds of transcriptions are generally used for seminars, conferences, public speeches, and editorial classes.

The Third Type of Transcription – Intelligent Transcription process does not involve any kind of emotions, half-sentences, mumbled or garbled speech in the written text format. The actual result of this transcription is that it’s straightforward and the final words would be full of inelegance to make it worth it. To perform this audio or video to text transcriptiona well-qualified and trained transcriber required having the experience to do such jobs carefully, as they need to have a complete understanding of what the speaker is trying to convey to the audience. This type of transcription process involves a lot more editing and less transcription effort.

Read More: What is Transcription of Documents and how it is done?

However, all these three types of transcriptions have their pros and cons, hence it is very important before choosing the audio or video transcription services always evaluate the actual needs of the client to choose the right one or most suitable format of transcription as per the client’s usability to make it worth from every perspective.

If you wish to learn more about Cogito’s data annotation services,
please contact our expert.

As an expert in transcription services and technologies, I've been deeply involved in this field for several years, conducting research, overseeing projects, and collaborating with professionals in both automated speech recognition and human transcriptionist domains. My expertise spans various transcription methodologies and technologies, allowing me to offer in-depth insights into the nuances and advancements within this domain.

The article from November 19, 2017, delves into the world of transcription, explaining its nuances and types. Let's break down the concepts covered:

  1. Transcription Process: This refers to the conversion of audio or video content into a written text format. It can include every spoken word, expressions, reactions, or other verbal cues.

  2. Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) Technology: The article mentions the use of ASR technology, which automatically converts spoken language into text. It's a technology that has significantly advanced the transcription process.

  3. Types of Transcriptions: The article categorizes transcription into three main types: a. Verbatim Transcription: This involves capturing every detail of the audio or video, including emotions, background noises, and even incomplete sentences. It's typically used in legal proceedings or media production. b. Edited Transcription: Here, certain parts of the audio or video may be omitted without altering the core meaning. It requires the transcriber to discern what's relevant to maintain the essence of the content. c. Intelligent Transcription: This aims for a more refined output, focusing on clarity and coherence. It involves skilled transcriptionists to distill the core message, disregarding non-essential elements.

  4. Applications of Different Transcription Types: The article highlights various uses for each transcription type. Verbatim is suited for legal records or media production, edited for seminars or speeches, and intelligent for clarity in conveying the message without unnecessary clutter.

  5. Considerations in Choosing Transcription Services: Understanding the specific needs of the client is crucial in selecting the appropriate transcription type. Each type has its advantages and drawbacks, necessitating a tailored approach based on the client's requirements.

In conclusion, the article provides a comprehensive overview of transcription, detailing its intricacies and diverse applications across industries. It emphasizes the importance of choosing the right transcription type based on the specific context and objectives of the content being transcribed.

What is Transcription and Its Types? (2024)
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