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I have taken on a general transcription assignment, it averages 30 min audio files, with heavy accent and lots of uh huh, hmm, etc. (I already know they don't pay enough), but what would an average length of time be for transcription by the average transcriptionist, let's face it typist?

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Comment by Kathleen Russell on July 7, 2009 at 8:47: Formats were different, some wanted um hmm, some didn't, the samples I received were okat {inaudible 00:00.0] or some were... (__), they did however, forget to tell me which one went with which file. Just a small detail omission, right?

Comment by Jennie Ann on July 7, 2009 at 3:35: Kathleen, what formatting gave you problems? If it is general transcription, I keep everything in colloquy, with no Q&A.

Also, me personally, I never have typed words such as "uh" and "um," unless it is an FBI or police wiretap. I will type "uh-huh" or "mm-hmm" for answering in the affirmative, or "uh-uh" for answering in the negative. Not to many people in my area type "uh" and "um." That said, though, if the client requires "uhs" and "ums," then I will do it, of course.

When I am working with a court reporting or transcription company who has their own format and style, I always ask them for a sample of a complete transcript that I can use as a guide. That way, I can find out if they like a space before and after the double hyphen for breaks in thought and interruptions. I can find out if they use brackets or parentheses for their parentheticals.

In recent times, I have seen quite a variety of transcript formats out there, and when in Rome, I try to do as the Romans do. It is not possible to know everybody's style likes and dislikes.

Comment by Kathleen Russell on July 6, 2009 at 11:51: Correction formatings were yuk!

Comment by Kathleen Russell on July 6, 2009 at 11:51: The news is not good, but I at least don't feel like such a failure with this. I realize I'm way out of practice, and every format is different, just by a little bit, the first few my formating was yuk!, And I knew it, but .... well to make this long story sort, it's the best practice I've had, including what they mean in their instructions. Also Interesting. Thanks for the reply.

Comment by Rosalie DeLeonardis on July 6, 2009 at 11:47: Having transcribed audio trials, it was very frustrating and time consuming for the pay (if you're transcribing for a court reporting agency, the pay is very good, but if you're transcribing for a transcriptionist company, the pay is low compared to what we're used to making). I did like Jennie, after stop/start/stop to try to figure out what they said the first time, I was able to pick up a lot when I went back and proofed against the audio. I would also take down the audio on my steno machine, which was a lot faster than typing, but generally it would be 3 to 4 hours per every hour, depending on all the inaudibles, talking over each other, or not close enough to the mic.

Comment by Kathleen Russell on July 6, 2009 at 7:58: Welcome to my world.

Comment by Jennie Ann on July 6, 2009 at 7:56: I think your comment did get ahead of mine, only because I deleted it and re-posted it after correcting a TYPO. LOL

I figure when I'm on CSR Nation, I better put my best foot forward when it comes to spelling. ;)

Comment by Kathleen Russell on July 6, 2009 at 7:54: Jennie, my comment to your got ahead of yours, or is this just the way it looks on my computer?

Comment by Jennie Ann on July 6, 2009 at 7:54: Kathleen, when I have a job like that, I just bang it out as fast as possible. Sometimes I look up the terms and name spellings as I go along.

However, after I finish the entire transcript, that is when I go back and listen to the audio a second time while proofreading the transcript. You'd be surprised how many holes you can fill in when you finish transcribing it, after you become familiar with the accent and subject matter.

Comment by Jennie Ann on July 6, 2009 at 7:51: The average time to transcribe (type) one hour of audio is three to four hours, depending on the speed of the colloquy and time needed to research name spellings. So, with heavy accents, it could slow the process down.

I have extensive experience with accented speech -- WORLD BANK! -- and it takes me much longer to produce a transcript with accented speech. I can listen to the audio four and five times and still hear things I could not understand the first few times I proofed the document.

Typing speed comes into play a little bit. If you are a fast typist, say 100 WPM and above, then this is an asset. Shorthand and word extender software programs can also assist in speed when transcribing.

So, all things considered, a 30-minute recording of accented speech could take anywhere from 2.5 to 3 hours to complete, again, depending on the speed of the colloquy, time needed to look up spellings, typing speed, et cetera.