Audio transcription is the process of converting recorded voice content into text. This is usually done to prepare a video for translation into foreign language versions.

The process will involve creating subtitles in the chosen languages or re-voicing the existing soundtrack into different languages.

Transcription work is performed by a trained transcriber, and the method used will depend on the intended use. Will the transcription be used for reference only, or will the transcription also need to be time-coded, so that it can be used to create a voice-over script or subtitling document?

If the transcription doesn’t require time codes to be added, the transcriber won’t need any specialist software. In this case, any trained audio typist should be able to produce the transcription.

However, if the transcript is being created from a video, for voice-over or subtitles translation, the transcriber will need the right software and training, to time-code the script appropriately.

Typically, transcription for subtitling work is much more time-intensive, as the time codes must be logged in “hours:minutes:seconds:frames”, and the transcriber will need to allow enough time for the viewer to read each ‘subtitle’.

The length of time taken depends on the intended use of the transcription, and on other factors such as the quality of the recording, the clarity of the voices, and the number of voices.

Transcription industry standards dictate that 10 to 15 minutes of speech takes about one hour to type; however, if the audio needs to be time-coded, it can take up to three times longer.

As a guide:

• Transcription for reference: 60 minutes of audio can be transcribed per day
• Transcription for voice-over: 30 – 40 minutes of audio can be transcribed per day
• Transcription for subtitling: 20 – 30 minutes of audio can be transcribed per day

The level of time-coding required to create a voice over script varies depending on the nature of your recording.

• If you are recording to a storyboard, the timecodes can occur every paragraph.
• If you are planning for the voice over script to be translated and re-voiced in a foreign language, you will need more regular time codes, say every sentence or two, so that the translations can be adapted to fit the time codes.
• If you require lip sync, the time codes will need to be every phrase or short sentence, in order for the script to match the lip movements on screen.

Subtitles require a time code reference for the start and end of each segment of speech that is transcribed.

The duration of the time codes needs to be around 4 seconds long so that the viewer has enough time to read the caption.

Each line of text is limited to 37 characters, or 72 characters over two lines. Therefore, the subtitle transcription is what we call ‘an abridgement of the spoken word’, as it is shorter to fit the space available on-screen.

Companies that translate their media by re-voicing and subtitling into targeted foreign languages can increase their revenue by opening up to new markets.

Roughly 13% of the world’s population speaks English, and with Matinée offering localisation in over 80 languages, we can help you reach new markets for your business with our services.

Usually not, but this is subjective to you and your business.

In our experience, company names are often left untranslated, but we sometimes see taglines translated to give more meaning to a foreign market. For example, “Matinée Multilingual – placing the accent on communication”, could have the tag line translated in a foreign language version.

The more information you provide to us, the better the end product will be.

If your company has a style guide, and preferential tone (formal/causal), we can pass this onto our linguists to make sure the translations are as you require.

We use linguists’ CVs to identify the best person to work with and make sure they have experience in your industry sector.

Yes, we offer proofreading services as an additional service. This second-level check is performed by a second linguist to ensure an extra level of quality assurance for your translations.