Transcription is the process of getting spoken or signed language onto paper. Transcription works within one language, taking spoken words or signs and transcribing them into written script. If you create subtitles in the same language as a video, you’re a transcriptionist!
Transcription is important because it creates access to videos, provides a reference for future translators, and makes videos easier to find by search engines.
Let’s break down the word transcribe and compare it with a more well-known term: translate.
Trans: through, across, beyond
- -late: to carry (from Latin -latus)
- -scribe: to write (from Latin -scribo)
Translators carry words across language barriers: from one language to another. Transcribers change the nature of the word: from speech to a written record.
A transcript of a video or audio recording is an essential accessibility asset for deaf and hard of hearing people. A transcript can also be an asset for people who prefer text because of audio processing issues.
Without a transcript, search engines have trouble finding the right videos because they rely mostly on searching text. Transcripts are more easy to use for search engines compared to audio and video. It’s a little harder to search within audio or video for a specific sound. Adding a transcript to a video makes it easier to search for.
If you are transcribing subtitles and are not sure where to start, here are some simple guidelines to creating quality subtitles that audiences will love.
You can also explore Amara’s Professional Transcription services or Auto Transcription solutions to start making your content accessible to a wider audience. If you want to create your own transcripts using our multi-award winning Amara Editor, sign up for an Amara Plus team that includes 60 minutes of free transcription every month.
Contact client-services@amara.org if you need more information or speak with one of our team members to find the best transcription solution
Updated on Nov. 2024
