Transcription service

Transcription in a foreign language

If you have a sound recording and you would like it to be converted to written form, SMG UK offers professional, speedy and precise transcription services.

Whatever the spoken language – French, Arab, Russian, you name it – we can produce an precise transcription and, upon request, revise the syntax and grammar to improve the flow and accuracy of the spoken language for its use in written form.

Finally, we can also translate the original transcription in any language you choose, to be included in your video in the form of subtitles or dubbing by a professional voice actor.

What exactly do we mean by transcription?

There is often confusion over the meaning of the term ‘transcription’ and what the service entails. In general, transcription includes the following:

  • Transcription always includes spelling corrections.
  • Transcription always includes punctuation, which is where our human service differs from the automated transcription services found on the market.
  • Corrections of syntax, grammar and punctuation are agreed with the client, given that this involves the alteration of the original. For example, this is not appropriate for exact transcriptions for legal or psychological evaluations; in this case, a verbatim transcription is recommended, which retains all hesitations, errors and repetitions by the speaker.
  • The insertion of the time code (hh:mm:ss shown at pre-set intervals in the text) or description of background noises and music (in closed captions for the deaf) are agreed with the client.

What information do we need to send you a quote?

If you would like to receive a quote for a transcription service, send us the audio file to be transcribed with the following details:

  • Language of the recording to be transcribed.
  • Length of the recording to be transcribed, in minutes. If you have a hard copy of the text and want to transcribe it in digital format, you can provide us with a word count.
  • Subject of the recording.
  • Do you want us to include:
    • The names of the speakers in front of their speech?
    • The time codes (recording time count in hh:mm.ss) before each speaker or at certain intervals?
    • Hesitations and pauses by the speaker, indicated using three dots?
    • The main ambient sounds, described in brackets?