Verbatim transcription is a literal translation of an audio or video recording. It can serve as a reference point for various situations, including depositions, panel discussions, interviews, and more. A verbatim transcript records every word, including pauses, stutters, or other sounds that may have occurred during the recording. In legal processes and judicial proceedings, the standard is using verbatim transcriptions of the highest quality.
Whenever possible, such as in large group meetings or when a speaker gives a presentation, non-verbatim transcription is what we should use. Non-verbatim transcription excludes unnecessary words and sounds. Consider your use cases when deciding whether your transcription requires verbatim to make sure you select the proper format for your needs.
Why Are Verbatim Transcription Services Critical?
Verbatim transcription can find its use cases in many different areas. This type of speech-to-text conversion can be helpful for several reasons, including helping you and your team remember the exact details of a customer meeting. It allows you to correctly prepare quotes from notable people who spoke to you in a Zoom conference and document important conversations, such as those with HR. The consequences of forgetting crucial details in a meeting or misquoting a key corporate figure can be catastrophic.
Using verbatim transcripts makes it easier to recall discussions and quotes with the utmost exactitude. Whether they are to protect your back against what somebody says or keep a meticulous record of important conversations, verbatim transcriptions remain critical.
When You Should Use Verbatim Transcription?
Word-for-word direct quotes are commonplace in the legal field. A transcript of a legal proceeding must adhere to a strict and precise standard because of the importance placed on every word. Over time, guidelines and style manuals for legal court reporting have evolved to reflect the needs of courts and states. Evidence can be a witness statement, deposition, interview, or testimony.
When attorneys edit statements or deponent answers for grammar, they lose crucial words and utterances that could dramatically change the result of legal cases. Verbatim transcription is also commonly used for interviews. For example, verbatim transcription is a must when interviewing a police witness. However, the text is often altered slightly in a more general discussion, such as one conducted by the media or for news and business.
Editing for grammar and omitting unnecessary utterances, for instance, can significantly improve the readability of a transcript of an interview for a news article and ensure that its readers properly get the meaning of everything. The media can protect themselves from legal action if an interviewee later claims they were misquoted by airing a conversation transcript. Transcribing interviews can provide reporters with legal protection and peace of mind, especially when working on complex stories or notable figures.
Human resources departments can likewise benefit from verbatim recordings of their conversations with candidates for employment, albeit their aims may vary. In addition, there is little doubt that verbatim transcribing is essential in research. Researchers commonly use transcripts with minor alterations for clarity.
Depending on the specifics of the study, researchers may opt for either full verbatim or non-verbatim transcription. Verbatim transcripts are especially useful in the medical field, while clean verbatim transcription of findings may be more valuable in the media industry.
Final Thoughts
The purpose for which you need the transcripts significantly determines whether or not they should be verbatim. A word-for-word transcript is necessary if you need to quote someone or use the conversation as evidence in court. Shorter, more concise transcripts or note-taking solutions are sometimes sufficient if the purpose is to create marketing materials or have reference notes.
Consider the possible applications buxic depending on the field you are in. This assessment is necessary if you need to review transcripts for any reason relating to the law or regulatory compliance. Study whether these transcripts are “nice-to-have” extras or if they are necessary to provide accessibility to those with impairments.
Click here to contact GoTranscript if you need help preparing your verbatim transcripts. They are a professional company with over 15 years of experience in transcription, translation, captioning, and much more. No matter the industry you are in, they have more than 20,000 expert transcribers from around the world that are ready to help you tackle any project you have in mind. Contact them today!
