All Questions Asked on Transcription Discussion Board

I sometimes get technical recordings with jargon I’ve never heard — what’s your process for that?

Posted by Meghan in Transcription

• Nov 25, 2025
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When I get a recording packed with technical jargon I’ve never heard before, I follow a simple process that keeps things accurate and calm. I start with a quick pre-listen to get a sense of the topic, the speakers, and their accents. This gives me an early hint about the kind of terminology I’m about to meet. Then I jot down any unfamiliar words or acronyms and build a small vocab list. I don’t look up everything — only the terms that repeat or actually matter to the context. For research, I stick to dependable sources based on the industry: Legal? Court websites or Cornell’s legal dictionary. Tech? Company sites, product documentation, or even GitHub when necessary. If I still can’t catch a word, I slow the audio down, replay it a few times, and break it phonetically into smaller pieces. You’d be surprised how often it becomes clear on the third or fourth pass. And when something is truly impossible to decipher, I never guess. I mark it as [inaudible] or [unclear] and flag it for the client.

Sometimes I hear a name or term I can’t verify — do you guess it or mark it as inaudible?

Posted by TranscriptionBrat in Transcription

• Nov 24, 2025
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When you come across a name or term you can’t confidently verify, avoid guessing. Replay the audio, slow it down, and check the surrounding context. If it’s still unclear, mark it as [inaudible], [unintelligible], or use a phonetic spelling. This keeps the transcript accurate while clearly indicating that clarification is needed.

Sometimes, two people sound so similar that I can’t tell who’s speaking. Any tips on how to label them correctly?

Posted by Amy in Transcription

• Nov 10, 2025
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I struggle when speakers keep interrupting or talking over each other. How should I handle that? Any tips?

Posted by Gia in Transcription

• Nov 05, 2025
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Great question! When speakers overlap and it’s hard to understand, here’s how you can handle it: Insert timestamps for clarity: We always suggest adding tags like [inaudible – 02:15] or [crosstalk – 02:15] to mark overlapping or unclear sections. This helps reviewers quickly locate the issue in the audio. Never guess what’s being said: Accuracy always comes first. If something isn’t clear, it’s better to mark it as unclear than to risk an incorrect transcription. Partially audible sections: If you can catch a few words, you should transcribe what’s clear and mark the rest as [unclear] or [indistinct]. Follow client style guides: Some clients have specific preferences for how to label inaudible or overlapping parts, so you should always double-check their guidelines before finalizing the transcript. This approach keeps transcripts professional, consistent, and transparent—even when the audio gets messy.

I’m still getting used to the rhythm of transcribing. On average, how long does it take you to transcribe a 15-minute file? Just trying to see how I compare.

Posted by TranscriptionBrat in Transcription

• Aug 05, 2025
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Hey! When I started, a 15-minute audio took me around an hour or more to finish. It really depends on how clear the audio is. I’m getting faster now, but it takes time to build that rhythm! Hey! I usually take about 70–80 minutes for a 15-minute file since I’m still practicing. Some parts can be tricky, so I have to rewind a lot. I’m sure you’ll get quicker with time!

What’s the best way to handle unclear audio where multiple speakers talk over each other? Do you flag it, guess, or leave a timestamp?

Posted by Gia in Transcription

• Jul 29, 2025
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Great question! When speakers overlap and it’s hard to understand, I usually insert a timestamp like [inaudible – 02:15] or [crosstalk – 02:15]. Never guess - accuracy is more important. If I can partially hear something, I’ll include what I can and mark the rest as unclear. Some clients also prefer you to use tags like [unclear] or [indistinct], so always check their style guide if available.

Hi everyone, I'm currently using Express Scribe for my transcription work, but I’ve noticed some delay when rewinding audio. Is there a setting I can tweak to fix this, or is there a better alternative software I should consider?

Posted by Amy in Transcription

• Jul 22, 2025
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Hi! I’ve run into that issue too with Express Scribe. A few quick tips: • Try lowering the rewind speed under Options > Playback — that usually helps. • Stick to MP3 or WAV files; other formats can cause lag. • Make sure you’re using the latest version or try reinstalling. • If you're using a foot pedal, check that the drivers are up to date. If it keeps happening, you might want to try oTranscribe (free) or FTW Transcriber—both are smoother for some users. Hope that helps!

In Clean Verbatim, the transcribed text does not include:

Posted by ahmed0114 in Transcription

• May 04, 2023
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In clean verbatim transcription, the transcribed text does not include any filler words, such as "um," "uh," or "like," false starts or repetitions, stutters, and other nonverbal sounds such as laughter or sighs. Instead, it only includes the essential and meaningful parts of the conversation, such as complete sentences, relevant information, and key points. Additionally, clean verbatim may correct any grammatical errors or mispronunciations made by the speaker for clarity and comprehension.

1. Which tags should be bolded?

Posted by ahmed0114 in Transcription

• May 04, 2023
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In a transcript, there is no standard set of rules for which tags should be bolded. However, some common practices include: 14. Bold the speaker names or initials to make them stand out from the rest of the transcript. 2. Bold important keywords or phrases that are essential to understanding the context or meaning of the conversation. 3. Bold headings or subheadings to indicate a new section or topic of discussion. Ultimately, the decision to bold any part of the transcript is up to the transcriber or editor and should be based on what will make the transcript most clear and understandable for the intended audience.