Transcription Log & Dictionary Overview

Contents

Introduction

This page is an overview of BLIP lab’s transcription log and dictionary for transcribers. You will be given access to both the log and the dictionary after you have completed BLIP’s Transcription Training 2. If you still have not received access after the training, please ask a member of the audio processing team or your supervisor.

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Transcription log

The transcription log is where we keep track of BLIP lab’s transcription work. This includes transcripts in progress, transcripts that have been completed, transcript language(s), who completed the transcript, and who checked the transcript.

As a transcriber, please log your progress on a transcript whenever you are done for the day. If you have completed a transcript, please inform your supervisor so that it can be given to a second transcriber/checker.

As a checker, please log your progress on checking a transcript whenever you are done for the day. If you have completed checking a transcript, please inform your supervisor that it can be processed.

Components of the transcription log

Here is a breakdown of the columns on the transcription log:

  1. S/N: Serial number
  2. AudioFileName: Enter the name of the audio file you are transcribing
  3. TranscribedFileName: Enter the name of the transcription file for the aforementioned audio file
  4. Project: Enter the name of the project that the file belongs to (e.g., TTS for Talk Together Study)
  5. Audio length: Enter the length of the audio file in minutes and seconds
  6. Est. trans. hrs.: Enter the estimated number of hours it will take to transcribe the file
  7. Language(s) spoken: Enter the language(s) spoken within the recording
  8. Transcriber 1: Enter the name of the individual who is transcribing the file for the first time
  9. Date issued: Enter the date when the file was issued for transcription
  10. Actual trans hrs: Enter the actual number of hours it took to transcribe the file. If it is still being worked on, enter ‘ongoing’
  11. 1st listen: This refers to the first full completion of the transcription. At the end of each day (if transcribing was done), key in the date and amount of audio transcribed e.g., 19/04/2021 3m 40s. Once done with the transcription, enter the date completed.
  12. 2nd listen: This refers to Transcriber 1’s own check of the fully completed transcription (1st listen). Think of it like how you proof-read an essay after you are done writing it.
  13. Comments by transcriber: Enter any comments you have regarding the file (e.g., ambiguities, difficulties due to audio issues, other relevant notes such as the length of an activity during the recording)
  14. Checker/transcriber 2: This will be filled in by the person who checks the transcription. Checker has to verify transcription against the audio, looking for misalignment, inaccurate annotations, typos, etc. Click here for a full overview on the checker’s role.
  15. Date issued: This will be filled in by the checker. They will enter when they were issued the filed to check.
  16. Completion: This will be filled in by the checker. They will enter when they completed checking the file.
  17. Comments by checker: This will be filled in by the checker. They will enter any amendments they had to make and include any other comments.
  18. TranscribedFileName: This will be filled in by the checker. They will enter the filename of the completed checked file.
  19. Supervisor’s comment: This will be filled in by the supervisor. They will enter any comments they have regarding a file.
  20. Comments from first processing: Notes/errors that arose during the processing script run on the checked transcript (i.e., aspects that neeed to be fixed even after it was submitted for processing subsequent to being checked)
  21. Editor/fixer: The initials of the transcriber who edited/fixed the transcript based on the errors found from the first processing
  22. Date of editing: Date that the checked transcript was edited
  23. Comments from editing: Comments by editor, including what was edited or fixed.
  24. Filename post-editing: The filename of the transcription file after fixing any errors that arose during processing.

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Dictionary for transcribers (i.e., Glossary builder)

BLIP Dictionary for transcribers functions as a reference for the lab’s transcribers as they transcribe recordings. It is the lab’s resource of words/phrases encountered during the transcription process that may or may not have caused problems for the transcriber. Problems may include common spelling differences (e.g., biryani vs biriyani), Red Dot words, etc. It is organised by language: English, Chinese, Malay, Tamil, Red Dot words, Common Interjections.

Any words or phrases that you have difficulty with handling (i.e., with spelling or knowing what language to classify it as) should be flagged to your supervisor. It will then be brought up with the audio processing team for further discussion.

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Have questions? Please approach your supervisor, or a member of the audio processing/transcription team.