Transcription Workshop
HIST 499
Bethany Fiechter
Archivist for Manuscript and Digital Collections
Archives and Special Collections
Ball State University Libraries
bcfiechter@bsu.edu, (765) 285-5078
Introduction to Transcription
• Definition: word-for-word written copy of an interview.
• Benefits:
− Quickly skim to determine relevance
− Comprehend voices that are difficult to hear or
understand
− Improved searching, especially in the Digital Media
Repository
− Technology issue? We have a print version available.
Transcription Process
• Allow for 6-8 hours of time per hour of recording.
• Do and Don’ts
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Do not correct grammar and dialect
Do not censor vulgar and/or offensive language
Do not add editorial comments
Do confirm the spellings of names, geographic locations,
unfamiliar terms
– Do avoid private information, such as addresses and phone
numbers
Transcription Process
• Guggles and Crutch Words
– Guggles: words or syllables used to interrupt, foreshorten, or end
responses, or used as sounds of encouragement (oh, uh, ah, er).
• Only use if the feedback is a definite response to a point being made or it`s vital to
understand speech pattern.
• When in doubt, ask!
– Crutch words: words, syllables or phrases of interjection often used to
allow the narrator more time to think (did-uh, that-uh, okay, you know,
I mean, etc.).
• Use careful judgment!
• Type no more than two crutch words per occurrence.
Transcription Process
• Incomplete Thoughts: Em Dash versus the Ellipses
– The em dash (“ ”) is used for:
• a hanging phrase resulting in an incomplete sentence
• a parenthetic expression or statement
• an interruption by another speaker
– The ellipses (“…”) is used for:
• a sentence that is not complete or is unfinished
• Do not use ellipses because they give the appearance that material was left out!
Transcription Process
• Bracketing [i.e. When to add information?]
– Make bracketed insertions ONLY to clarify the narrator`s thought or
tone, e.g. [laughs].
− Proper descriptive terms for incidental sounds:
[Jeffrey laughs] when person other than speaker laughs
[laughter] when more than one person laughs
[unintelligible] when you can’t understand
[inaudible] when you can’t understand due to recording problem
[telephone rings]
[both taking at once] or [speaking at same time]
− Do not insert personal value judgments within the narrative, e.g.
[laughs obnoxiously].
Transcription Process
• Unintelligible spots on tape
– Amplify sound
– Have another person listen
– When in doubt, leave as [unintelligible].
• Spell Checking
– If you can, make an educated guess, Maryville(??)
– If you cannot, Mr. _______(??)
Transcription Tools
• Quiet Room
• Computer and Headphones
• Transcription Software
− Express Scribe
• Free download (http://www.nch.com.au/scribe/)
• Volume control
• Tape speed control
• Can be used with USB foot pedal or hot keys
• Works with Microsoft Word and other common
word-processing applications
• Easy to use and tutorial available
• Transcript Template
• Class Wiki
Formatting and Style Guide
• Follow Baylor University Institute for Oral History Style Guide
and Chicago Manual of Style 16th ed. (Z253 .U69 2010)
− Guide covers how to transcribe many common elements of interviews,
including false starts, interruptions, nonverbal sounds, unintelligible
speech
− Guide and manual covers many writing guidelines, including when to
spell out numbers, punctuation, capitalization rules, etc.
• Review Class Wiki for additional guidelines and FAQs
• Look at examples in the Digital Media Repository
• Questions?
Demonstration
• Class Wiki
– https://www.bsu.edu/libraries/wiki/index.php?title=HIST_499:_Transcription_Workshop
_for_Cantigny_First_Division_Oral_History_Project_III_2012
– Adding to the wiki
• Download Express Scribe and load audio file
– http://www.nch.com.au/scribe/
• Still have questions?
– bcfiechter@bsu.edu