What is transcription?

In its simplest form, transcription means taking data in one format (whether that be paper, audio, video, or other electronic format, and putting into another, normally a more manageable electronic format. Medical transcription and legal transcription are two common varieties.

There are several notable advantages to transcribing you company's data:

• Transcribed data offers the security of an additional copy of the original.
• Transcribed data is more legible.
• Transcribed data can be searched using complex databases or even with free desktop search software.
• Transcribed data can be accessed from anywhere.
• Large amounts of data can be stored in a small amount of space.
• It is more cost effective to store large amounts of electronic data than paper notes.

Transcription is customarily divided into units of audio hour for audio files and priced on a per word basis for changes in written formats). Rates for transcription vary greatly (from $0.04 to $0.12 USD per source word or $50 to $300 USD or more per audio hour) according to several variables:

• Clarity of the audio or text files.
• Number or speakers in an audio file and/or density.
• Source language.
• File format.
• Time scaling and special equipment or software requirements.
• Archiving (if required).
• Turn around time.

It is important not to confuse transcription with translation. Transcription is a change in format while translation is a change in language. Most Green Crescent clients typically require both. Best practice involves first transcribing the text or audio into a translation friendly format such as MS Word. Once in the appropriate format, the text can then be translated in accordance with our translation rates (on a cost per source word basis).