Transcription Workshop HIST 499

1. 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

2. 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.

3. Transcription Process • Allow for 6-8 hours of time per hour of recording. • Do and Don’ts • 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

4. 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.

5. 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!

6. 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].

7. 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. _______(??)

8. Transcription Tools • Quiet Room • Computerand 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

9. 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?

10. Demonstration • Class Wiki • https://www.bsu.edu/libraries/wiki/index.php?title=HIST_499:_Transcription_Workshop_for_Cantigny_First_Division_Oral_History_Project_III_2012-2013 • Adding to the wiki • Download Express Scribe and load audio file • http://www.nch.com.au/scribe/ • Still have questions? • bcfiechter@bsu.edu