Translation or Transcription?

Both translation and transcription have to do with language – so what is the difference, are they ever part of the same product and how to make sure they are done well?

Translation

Translation means conveying written messages  that originated in one language to a target audience in another, target language. Taking an agreement originally written in English and creating a German version of it is what translation does.

Transcription

Transcription refers to writing down speech, either live or recorded. Transcription can be either monolingual (English audio to English transcript), bilingual (e.g. English to Polish, for example) or multilingual (e.g. audio tape where people speaking multiple languages transcribed into English).

Both translation and transcription are often used for business, legal, and medical purposes. And they often overlap, too.

Translation & Transcription

Let’s say that your business has created a video presentation of its services or product in English. Now you would like your  distributors to use the same video on the European market. You know that your service or product is more likely to sell if it is offered in someone’s mother tongue so leaving it in English and hoping that your audience will understand it is out of the question.

Creating multiple language version of the same video is not economically feasible. The solution typically is adding subtitles. This process is affordable and relatively simple:

1. The original version of the video is transcribed.
2. Next step is to translate the transcribed content into the target language. This will include translation, linguistic review and quality assurance steps to make sure all messages are correctly conveyed while taking into account cultural differences as well.
3. The text is adapted (and typically shortened) to accomodate the speed at which people can read and the length of time for which a subtitle is displayed (usually just seconds).
4. Subtitles are created and encoded.
5. The final video is produced.

Who Translates and Who Transcribes? 

Both translation and transcription are best completed by professional linguists. They both require impeccable attention to detail and knowledge of both the original language and any target languages.

In translators, look for not only a match with the language combination you need but also for academic background in translation and experience with the subject matter. Good language services providers do not simply match translators to clients by the languages they speak but strive to identify a subject matter match as well.

Your translators should also be savvy in terms of the technology used. While you do not want a fully automated process without any quality controls (like Google free translation) you should look for a combination of human creativity and technology where, at the very least, you can be assured of consistency and affordability. You see, translators who use “computer assisted translation” tools save you money because you typically do not pay full price again for previously translated content. The more content you translate, the faster they can be and, at the same time, you can be assured that the terminology used in your translated documents will be consistent.

In transcriptionists, we look for a few additional abilities: typing fast, and, more importantly, paying attention to both typing and listening at once – a skill that does not come naturally to many. Since transcription is always verbatim, you will not do without excellent listening skills and attention to detail. Processing of low quality recordings or live scenarios where there are multiple speakers engaged in a lively discussion also requires a lot of patience and, of course, time.

Like translators, transcriptionists also use technology to aid them in their work. Specialized software to process audio recordings and control a foot pedal that helps rewind, forward, stop and replay without the transcriptionist having to take their hands off the keyboard are the essentials. A professional headset will be needed as well.

Choose your resources carefully 

Both translation and transcription fall under the general category of language services. The common denominator for these is that you have the unique opportunity to use language to make a positive, direct impact on your business. For example, translating product descriptions and advertising will likely result in more people being interested in, and actually buying, your product. Transcription of recordings used as evidence in a legal setting can make or break your case.

At the same time, sloppy work by someone who just speaks another language but does not have the necessary additional skills that would allow them to be an effective translator or transcriptionist, may result in a bad first impression, lost profits, lost legal battles, or, simply, expensive and protracted rework.