All Questions Asked on Transcription Discussion Board

How do you handle echoey audio recordings?

Posted by Meghan in Transcription

I often get audio recordings made in echoey rooms or hallways, where the sound bounces around and words aren’t always clear. It makes it hard to catch every phrase and understand what the speaker is actually saying. What’s the best ...

• Jan 05, 2026
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Comment:

When working with echoey audio, focus on clarity over perfection. Listen in short sections, use good headphones, and adjust playback speed to catch repeated sounds. Rely on context to interpret unclear words, but never guess—use timestamps or [inaudible] when needed. Clean formatting, light punctuation, and brief notes help keep the transcript accurate, readable, and professional even when the audio quality isn’t ideal.

What’s the best way to find my first transcription job as a beginner?

Posted by Jack in Jobs

I’m new to transcription and trying to figure out the best way to get started. With no prior experience, what steps should I take to find my first transcription job and build confidence in this field?

• Dec 29, 2025
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The best way to find your first transcription job is to keep it simple and realistic. Start by practicing a lot and creating a few clean sample transcripts. That matters more than having experience. Companies mainly want proof that you can listen carefully, follow instructions, and format transcripts correctly. Next, apply in the right places. You can also find your first transcription jobs from the TCI Job Board, where you can upload your resume. There are many companies listed that actively hire transcriptionists and are open to beginners. What’s helpful is that you can search for the exact type of jobs you’re looking for, filter by location, and narrow down opportunities based on your preferences. This saves time and helps you apply more strategically. You can check it out here: https://jobs.transcriptioncertificationinstitute.org/

Speaker keeps changing topics

Posted by Amy in Transcription

I’m currently working on an audio where the speaker frequently shifts thoughts mid-sentence without finishing the original idea. It makes sentence structure, punctuation, and clarity challenging—especially when trying to stay true to t...

• Dec 22, 2025
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Comment:

I’ve faced this exact issue many times, and it’s honestly one of the most common challenges in real-world transcription. When a speaker keeps shifting thoughts mid-sentence, I remind myself that the goal isn’t to “fix” how they speak—it’s to make their meaning clear while staying true to what was said. I usually listen closely to understand the speaker’s main idea, even if they don’t finish the sentence cleanly. Instead of forcing everything into one long sentence, I rely on punctuation to reflect the speaker’s natural flow. Em dashes, commas, or even breaking the sentence into two can help show that the speaker changed direction. If a thought is abandoned, I don’t complete it for them—I let that shift come through in the transcript. I also read the transcript back as if I were the reader. If something feels confusing, I adjust the punctuation or sentence breaks rather than rewriting the speaker’s words. That usually improves clarity without changing intent. This kind of audio takes extra patience, but handling it well is a skill that comes with practice—and it’s something you’ll see often in real transcription work

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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Comment:

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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Comment:

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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Comment:

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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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Comment:

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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Comment:

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.