Types of Transcription: Verbatim vs. Intelligent vs. Edited

Here’s an in-depth look at the different types of transcription – verbatim, intelligent, and edited – and what the differences mean for you.

The right types of transcription to use depend largely on the purpose that you have for your content once it has been transcribed.

To help you make the right decision, let’s look at the differences and common uses for each.

Verbatim Transcription

A verbatim transcript captures every single spoken word in the recording and puts it into text. This means that it will include all false starts, grammatical errors, interjections, and stutters. It is the most comprehensive form of transcribing and ensures a transcription that is 100% faithful and complete.

Verbatim transcription is usually one of the most expensive types of transcription as it takes more time to perform.

However, it is seen as a valuable tool for market research studies, job interviews, police investigations, and court cases.

In all these situations, the behavior and reactions of the person being questioned is equally important as the words that are spoken.

Intelligent Verbatim Transcription

Intelligent verbatim transcription can be defined as the process of converting any type of recorded speech into text format and cutting out any redundant phrases and words. ... Intelligent verbatim transcription permits, repeats, filler words and other irrelevant material to be cut out.

Intelligent verbatim transcription is used in scenarios when the meaning of what was said is more important than the exact wording that was used.

For example, intelligent verbatim transcription is useful when transcribing medical diagnoses or business presentations. In these cases, it’s not helpful to have every pause or self-correction.

Edited Transcription

An edited transcription is a form of transcribing that focuses on delivering quality documents. It involves the omission of some sentences or phrases that are deemed unnecessary, excessive or are grammatically incorrect.

Edited transcription may be useful to those who plan to publish the transcribed content or have it translated to foreign languages.

It is often required by lecturers or conference organizers who need the content written in a formal way.

Here are a few common types of uses that we run into:

1. Market Research

Market researchers are as interested in the pauses, laughs, “umms” and “ahhs” as they are in what the respondent has to say.

Many filler words and gaps between sentences provide signals about how a respondent is feeling, even if their words suggest the opposite.

In this case,?verbatim transcription?will be needed to convey the complete response of the person speaking.

2. Medical Transcription

During medical transcription, it is imperative that the correct meaning from a doctor’s dictation is transcribed accurately into text.

Sentences should make sense and filler words should be removed to increase ease of reading, but the message must not be changed.

An incorrect transcription of a treatment plan would have very serious ramifications.

Medical research is also often done in foreign languages and then transcribed into English.

In both these cases, intelligent verbatim transcription?is predominantly the preferred type of transcription.

3. Business Communication

Business owners and corporate executives require clear, straight to the point information.

They don’t care to read through partial sentences and filler words to find out what the speaker is trying to say.

Therefore,?intelligent verbatim transcription?would be the ideal solution because it offers a concise, and easy to read transcription.

4. Published/Academic Document

Published or academic documents require an element of formality, making?edited transcription?the ideal solution.

Incomplete sentences will be completed, and informal speech will be converted to a formal written voice.

Find professional transcriber support is of great importance!

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