Example Conversation Transcripts

Conversation transcription is the process of converting spoken language into written text. It’s used across various domains such as legal, academic, market research, journalism and more.

The accuracy and detail captured during transcription are vital for preserving context, extracting insights, and aiding decision-making processes.

In this post we’ll look at example transcripts of a conversation that have been created using the most common transcription styles.

Conversation Transcription Styles

There are several styles of transcription, each suited for specific purposes. The two primary styles we will focus on are verbatim and intelligent verbatim transcription.

True Verbatim Transcription

This style captures every spoken word, including filler words, hesitations, and non-verbal expressions.

Standard Verbatim Transcription

This style removes unnecessary elements like filler words and hesitations while retaining the essential context and meaning of the conversation.

Read More: 4 Rules of Verbatim Transcription

Key Considerations for Effective Conversation Transcription

Effective conversation transcription involves accuracy, clarity, and meaningful representation of spoken content in written form. Here are some considerations that transcriptionists and professionals should keep in mind to enhance the quality and efficiency of conversation transcription:

Speaker Identification and Labeling

1. Speaker Tags: Assign labels or identifiers for each speaker to differentiate their dialogue accurately.
2. Consistent Identification: Maintain a consistent system for identifying speakers throughout the conversation.

Language and Dialects

1. Understanding Variations: Be aware of dialects, accents, and variations in language that might impact the accuracy of the transcription.
2. Accurate Representation: Strive to capture the speaker’s unique way of speaking while maintaining overall clarity and understanding.

Transcription Style and Specifics

1. Transcription Guidelines: Adhere to established transcription guidelines or style preferences, such as Verbatim or Intelligent Verbatim, as per the project requirements.
2. Consistency: Maintain consistent formatting and style throughout the transcript for a professional and cohesive presentation.

Time Stamps and Annotations

1. Accuracy in Time Stamping: Precisely mark the time of significant events, interruptions, or important segments for easy reference.
2. Relevant Annotations: Include contextual annotations to aid understanding or indicate non-verbal cues, emotions, or environmental sounds.

Read More: A Complete Guide to Interview Transcription

Example Transcripts of a Conversation

1. Verbatim Transcript Example

In a Verbatim Transcript, we capture every spoken word and non-verbal expression to maintain the conversation’s originality and context. Below is an example of such a transcript:

[Start of Transcript]

Interviewer: Can you tell me about your experience during World War II? 

Interviewee: Yeah, sure. So, um, I was living in, uh, London at the time. (2:15 – noise from passing ambulance) It was, uh, quite a harrowing period, you know? The air raids, they were, uh, relentless. (4:45 – pause due to emotional recollection) I remember one night, the, um, sirens blaring, and we rushed to the, uh, bomb shelter. The fear, it’s hard to, um, put into words.

Interviewer: How did the community come together during those times? 

Interviewee: Oh, the, um, sense of unity was, uh, remarkable. (9:20 – coughing fit) Neighbors helping neighbors, sharing whatever they had. (11:45 – phone ringing) We’d gather in the, uh, makeshift community halls, offering support to one another. It was, uh, heartwarming amidst the chaos. There were stories of, um, extraordinary bravery. (13:00 – short pause) People stepping up, selflessly risking their lives to help others.

Interviewer: Can you share one of those stories? 

Interviewee: Certainly. (15:20 – deep breath) There was, uh, this elderly man, Mr. Thompson. (16:30 – hesitation) He, um, owned a small grocery store. (20:10 – pause to collect thoughts) During an air raid, his shop was hit. But, despite the, uh, danger, he went back in to rescue a family trapped inside. It was, uh, awe-inspiring to witness such courage.

[End of Transcript]

2. Intelligent Verbatim Transcript Example

An Intelligent Verbatim Transcript, on the other hand, omits unnecessary elements like filler words, stammers, and repeated phrases, while ensuring the core message is retained. Here’s a sample excerpt:

[Start of Transcript]

Interviewer: Can you tell me about your experience during World War II? 

Interviewee: Yeah, I was living in London at the time. It was quite a harrowing period. The air raids were relentless. I remember one night, the sirens blaring, and we rushed to the bomb shelter. The fear, it’s hard to put into words. We’d just huddle together, praying for safety. My sister, she was just a kid then, terrified beyond words.

Interviewer: How did the community come together during those times? 

Interviewee: Oh, the sense of unity was remarkable. Neighbors helping neighbors, sharing whatever they had. We’d gather in the makeshift community halls, offering support to one another. It was heartwarming amidst the chaos. There were stories of extraordinary bravery. People stepping up, selflessly risking their lives to help others.

Interviewer: Can you share one of those stories? 

Interviewee: Certainly. There was this elderly man, Mr. Thompson. He owned a small grocery store. During an air raid, his shop was hit. But, despite the danger, he went back in to rescue a family trapped inside. It was awe-inspiring to witness such courage.

[End of Transcript]

Differences in True Verbatim and Intelligent Verbatim Conversation Transcripts

Here are the main differences in the two transcripts:

True Verbatim Transcript:

• Includes all spoken words, including fillers (“um,” “uh”) and hesitations.
• Retains false starts and interruptions, capturing the exact verbal expression.
• Preserves the conversational style and the originality of the dialogue.

This transcript takes far longer to transcribe and requires great attention to detail.

Intelligent Verbatim Transcript:

• Omits filler words, hesitations, and false starts for a cleaner, more concise transcript.
• Excludes interruptions and extraneous verbal expressions to enhance readability.
• Focuses on conveying the core content and meaning of the conversation.

This focuses on the main message and is easier to read.

Best Practices for Conversation Transcripts

Best Practices for Accurate and Efficient Transcription

1. Quality Audio: Ensure clear and high-quality audio recordings for accurate transcription.
2. Familiarity with Subject Matter: Familiarize yourself with the subject or industry-specific terminology to enhance accuracy.
3. Proofreading and Editing: Allocate time for thorough proofreading and editing to eliminate errors and improve clarity.

Tips for Maintaining Confidentiality and Privacy During Transcription

1. Secure Platforms: Use secure and trusted transcription platforms that prioritize data privacy.
2. Anonymize Data: Remove or replace personal information to maintain confidentiality.
3. Signed Agreements: Ensure transcriptionists sign non-disclosure agreements to legally bind them to confidentiality.

Conclusion

Whether it’s academic research, legal proceedings, market research, or any other domain, accurate and efficient conversation transcription is indispensable. Take the time to explore the various transcription methods and choose the one that best fits your or your client’s specific requirements.