Module 1: Transcription Rules and Guidelines

Introduction

• Guidelines for transcript consistency for clients without specific rules
• Formatting style may vary for subcontractors

Types of Verbose Transcription

Clean Verbatim

• Excludes false starts, verbal tics, stutters, and irrelevant speech sounds
• Sentences are not paraphrased

Full Verbatim

• Includes all utterances, including false starts and verbal tics
• Filler words are examples: "you know," "um," "uh," "like," "kind of"
• Important to retain necessary words in sentences, e.g., "What was that like for you?"

False Starts

• Occur when a speaker changes their statement mid-sentence
• Omit irrelevant parts before the actual sentence start

Thinking Noises

• Do not transcribe unnecessary thinking noises: "uh-huh," "right," "okay," "yeah" unless it’s a direct response
• Example: "You have been there, right? Uh-huh." (retain "uh-huh")

Slang and Conjunctions

• Avoid slang forms:
  • gonna, wanna, gotta, alright, cause
• Use formal language:
  • going to, want to, got to, alright, because
• Overuse of "and" can lead to overly long sentences
  • Split long sentences into shorter ones for clarity

Indecipherable Words

• Use "indiscernible," "inaudible," or "unintelligible" for unclear audio
• Include timestamps for reference

Speaker Identification

• Identify speakers by first name unless instructed otherwise
• Use "interviewer" and "respondent" for unidentified speakers

Paragraph Formatting

• Keep paragraphs short for readability
• Use white spaces effectively

General Guidelines for Transcribers

• Accept or decline assignments based on confidence in quality
• Always submit on time
• Communicate with clients regarding delays or issues
• Keep clients informed to avoid leaving them hanging

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These notes summarize the key transcription rules and guidelines covered in the lecture.