Sigrid Andersen Austria Local time: 12:10 Member (2011) Danish to German + ...
Jan 12
Hello,
i ve been a translator for a long time, but went freelance not long ago. One of my customers asked me if i would look into doing some transcription jobs for him, and i have to admit, i got not much of an idea of how that works. Is it just writing down all spoken text from an audio file or video or would I use a specific software/format? Other things i should be aware of?
I would appreciate any information/tips/tricks on how to start out with transscrition jobs.
Thanks a lot in advance!
Sigrid
Subject:
Comment:
The contents of this post will automatically be included in the ticket generated. Please add any additional comments or explanation (optional)
Aradai Pardo Martínez France Local time: 12:10 Member (2009) Swedish to Spanish + ...
Express Scribe
Jan 12
Dear Sigrid,
There are different kinds of transcriptions. Some clients want to have everything written down (including coughs, hesitations, pauses and the like) while others only want to have the main ideas. In any case, until recently, I never used any kind of software, but I then I discovered Express Scribe and I love it! It saves time and helps me avoid muscle ache from all that mouse clicking to go back and forth with the normal audio software. They have a free-trial version, may be you can give it a try.
I recomend you to transcribe a whole audio minute to see how long it takes you to do so. You may then decide your rate accordingly. For me it varies depending on audio quality, Spanish dialect, how fast they speak and even the subject.
Good luck!
Subject:
Comment:
The contents of this post will automatically be included in the ticket generated. Please add any additional comments or explanation (optional)
Rudolf Vedo CT United States Local time: 05:10 Member (2008) Croatian to English + ...
Some factors...
Jan 12
You can play the audio/video back in whatever player works for you (Windows Media Player, e.g.,) and transcribe into whatever format lets you type text (Word, WordPad, etc.). There may be specific software available but I don't believe it's necessary to have it. However, a USB control such as a foot pedal, for start/stop/rewind without taking your hands from the keyboard, will probably speed up production.
The time required will depend on several factors:
1) Quality of the recording
2) Number of speakers/voices
3) Verbatim (noting every sound or utterance, such hems, hews, errrs, door shutting, etc.)
4) The need to add time codes and similar considerations
Prices are usually expressed in $$$ per length of recording, such as (purely as an example) $3 per audio minute.
An hour of spoken text can contain as many as 5000 words. Transcribing would obviously take you much longer than simply retyping that much. I would figure on 6 hours of transcribing for an hour of audio.
It's best to try a sample of any potential transcription assignment (say, a couple minutes' worth) and see how long it takes.
My personal impression is that the rates charged by specialized transcription agencies (well, for English anyway) are very low, at least considering how long it would take me to do it and the opportunity cost of not spending the time translating instead. I'm generally happy to leave transcription to professional transcriptionists, as I can't possibly match their prices/efficiency.
HTH
[Edited at 2012-01-12 14:34 GMT]
Subject:
Comment:
The contents of this post will automatically be included in the ticket generated. Please add any additional comments or explanation (optional)
Sigrid Andersen Austria Local time: 12:10 Member (2011) Danish to German + ...
TOPIC STARTER
thank you
Jan 13
Thank you Rudolf and Aradai!
Will now ask for a sample and try how that goes
Subject:
Comment:
The contents of this post will automatically be included in the ticket generated. Please add any additional comments or explanation (optional)
While I disagree with Rudolf that specific software is not necessary (Express Scribe has a fully functional free version), I agree with him in that rates offered are often despicably low when it doesn't involve translation - only transcribing in the same language.
Subject:
Comment:
The contents of this post will automatically be included in the ticket generated. Please add any additional comments or explanation (optional)
Sigrid Andersen Austria Local time: 12:10 Member (2011) Danish to German + ...
TOPIC STARTER
Thank you José
Jan 13
Thank you José, this helps me a lot.
Subject:
Comment:
The contents of this post will automatically be included in the ticket generated. Please add any additional comments or explanation (optional)
To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator:
SDL provides market-leading translation software to over 185,000 users
SDL offers leading translation management solutions to meet LSPs needs throughout the whole translation supply chain.
With over 185,000 licenses being used by translators and organizations worldwide, our products will help you to connect to a supply chain that guarantees compatibility, making it easier to work with your customers and other users.
Start and finish your translations faster than ever with Fluency Translation Suite 2011. TMs, Terminology, and Online Resources are all fully integrated and only a click away. Download a free trial today!
The translation workplace 
Translation news