May 20, 2011
Transcribing - through the years
While I was still a law student, I worked in a variety of jobs. One of them was with a group into a form of energetic healing -- Pranic healing. I was supposed to be a coordinator or an organizer of workshops or seminars.
Actually, I did a lot of other things. One of the jobs assigned to me was to transcribe a lecture by Master Choa Kok Sui -- the founder and proponent of the Pranic Healing movement in the Philippines.
I can't recall the subject matter of the lecture. What came into my mind then, was that I should have had a typewriter--instead of doing it by hand.
It was the late '80's. Desktops, personal computers in the Philippines were a rarity. Master Choa had one but he used it for writing his books. It was not for the use of the staff. So I had to content myself with writing out the lecture in longhand and then typing it up on a manual typewriter.
It took a lot of time. I wasn't trained to do shorthand. But I got it done. I was gratified to learn that he used the transcribed material as a basis for his succeeding books.
Moving into the early '90's. I was working with an NGO that sponsored seminars and discussion groups on alternative law. The office had a computer. But we still did the transcribing by hand and then typed up the transcripts.
I have no idea what the organization did with the transcripts. I know that I used some of the material for newsletters that I wrote and edited.
By the late '90s I was a full-fledged lawyer. I would go to court and watch the stenographers type into a machine. They looked smart and efficient but the transcripts did not reflect their efficient demeanor More often than not, transcripts were riddled with typographical errors, grammar slips or pure mistnterpretation of what they heard on tape. Results would often be hilarious.
It was in great contrast to the accuracy of the transcripts produced in the Stock Exchange's Compliance and Enforcement Deaparmtnet (Now the Market Regulation Department.) CPAs did the transcription work for lack of stenographers and secretaries. They took down notes during the meetings while taping the proceedings. Then they typed up their transcripts into PCs while listening to tapes.
I could clearly see that more than technology, education mattered a lot. People with a good grasp of the English language and who were also wide readers produced more accurate transcripts. But tecnhology does play a vital role -- at least for speed and for ease in producing manuscripts.
When I set up my transcription company, I had to research and study new techniques. I learned that what I knew about transcription was sadly outdated. Software such as expresscribe had made transcribing easy. Equipment such as excellent headsets could shut out noisy background noise. And noisy audio could actually be improved or cleaned up as there was software for that. Nowadays, there is voice recognition technology but I still have to familiarize myself with that tool.
But I know that technology is created by humans and humans are still needed to put technology to use. No matter how sophisticated the technology used, the transcriber still has to demonstrate excellent typing and listening skills and should have a good grasp language.
Victoria Suarez
Head - Legal Transcription Services
Lexcribe, Inc.
Visit www.lexcribe.com
Actually, I did a lot of other things. One of the jobs assigned to me was to transcribe a lecture by Master Choa Kok Sui -- the founder and proponent of the Pranic Healing movement in the Philippines.
I can't recall the subject matter of the lecture. What came into my mind then, was that I should have had a typewriter--instead of doing it by hand.
It was the late '80's. Desktops, personal computers in the Philippines were a rarity. Master Choa had one but he used it for writing his books. It was not for the use of the staff. So I had to content myself with writing out the lecture in longhand and then typing it up on a manual typewriter.
It took a lot of time. I wasn't trained to do shorthand. But I got it done. I was gratified to learn that he used the transcribed material as a basis for his succeeding books.
Moving into the early '90's. I was working with an NGO that sponsored seminars and discussion groups on alternative law. The office had a computer. But we still did the transcribing by hand and then typed up the transcripts.
I have no idea what the organization did with the transcripts. I know that I used some of the material for newsletters that I wrote and edited.
By the late '90s I was a full-fledged lawyer. I would go to court and watch the stenographers type into a machine. They looked smart and efficient but the transcripts did not reflect their efficient demeanor More often than not, transcripts were riddled with typographical errors, grammar slips or pure mistnterpretation of what they heard on tape. Results would often be hilarious.
It was in great contrast to the accuracy of the transcripts produced in the Stock Exchange's Compliance and Enforcement Deaparmtnet (Now the Market Regulation Department.) CPAs did the transcription work for lack of stenographers and secretaries. They took down notes during the meetings while taping the proceedings. Then they typed up their transcripts into PCs while listening to tapes.
I could clearly see that more than technology, education mattered a lot. People with a good grasp of the English language and who were also wide readers produced more accurate transcripts. But tecnhology does play a vital role -- at least for speed and for ease in producing manuscripts.
When I set up my transcription company, I had to research and study new techniques. I learned that what I knew about transcription was sadly outdated. Software such as expresscribe had made transcribing easy. Equipment such as excellent headsets could shut out noisy background noise. And noisy audio could actually be improved or cleaned up as there was software for that. Nowadays, there is voice recognition technology but I still have to familiarize myself with that tool.
But I know that technology is created by humans and humans are still needed to put technology to use. No matter how sophisticated the technology used, the transcriber still has to demonstrate excellent typing and listening skills and should have a good grasp language.
Victoria Suarez
Head - Legal Transcription Services
Lexcribe, Inc.
Visit www.lexcribe.com
May 10, 2011
Introductions
Hi, I'm Victoria Suarez-- a lawyer by profession, writer by avocation. And a founding member of Lexcribe, Inc. - a general and legal transcription services company.
In creating this blog, I intend to share my thoughts on the legal profession, outsourcing industry, transcription services and issues that clients and providers may face, sundry business issues and even subjects like world peace, spirituality and inner stuff.
It is my fondest wish that readers will be informed or entertained.
I hope that they'll find some value in the blog entries that I trust will follow this introduction.
In creating this blog, I intend to share my thoughts on the legal profession, outsourcing industry, transcription services and issues that clients and providers may face, sundry business issues and even subjects like world peace, spirituality and inner stuff.
It is my fondest wish that readers will be informed or entertained.
I hope that they'll find some value in the blog entries that I trust will follow this introduction.
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