How do you balance the quality and speed of your interpreting output when using speech recognition software?

1 Benefits of SRS

SRS can enhance the interpreter's performance by reducing the cognitive load, increasing the fluency and consistency, and allowing for better note-taking and research. SRS can also help interpreters cope with different accents, dialects, and speech rates, as well as noisy or unclear audio. Additionally, SRS can improve the accessibility and inclusivity of interpreting services, by providing transcripts, captions, or subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing, or for people who prefer to read rather than listen.

2 Drawbacks of SRS

SRS is not flawless, and it can introduce errors or misunderstandings that can affect the quality and accuracy of the interpretation. SRS may not recognize proper names, technical terms, idioms, or colloquial expressions, or it may mispronounce or mistranslate them. SRS may also have difficulties with overlapping speech, interruptions, or feedback. Furthermore, SRS may pose some ethical issues, such as confidentiality, consent, and accountability. Interpreters need to inform the participants about the use of SRS, obtain their permission, and ensure that the data is protected and deleted after the session.

3 Best practices for using SRS

To balance the quality and speed of your interpreting output when using SRS, you need to follow some best practices and guidelines. First, you need to choose a reliable and compatible SRS that suits your needs and preferences, and test it before the session. Second, you need to adjust your speech style and pace, and speak clearly and distinctly, avoiding fillers, hesitations, or repetitions. Third, you need to monitor and correct the SRS output, and intervene when necessary to clarify or confirm the meaning. Fourth, you need to use your professional judgment and skills, and not rely solely on the SRS.