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Transcription is the process of transferring the spoken content of an oral history audio or video recording to a text document. This can be extremely useful for researchers, as it is often much easier to search the content of text documents for specific terms. However, the transcription process can be time-consuming and sometimes confusing. Below are some resources that can assist you in the transcription process.
Transcribing Oral History - Book by Teresa Bergen
Oral History Program Style Guide (Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution)
Oral History Transcription Style Guide (Columbia Center for Oral History Research)
Style Guide: Guidelines for Transcribing and Editing Oral Histories (University of Florida)
Transcribing Oral Histories (Baylor University) - One-page document that includes key points and tips.
These are some accessible software options:
TurboScribe - By creating an account, you can obtain three free transcripts per day. You just need to upload your audio or video file and TurboScribe will generate a rough transcription. You can then copy the generated text and paste it in a word processor document to make edits and adjust the format. TurboScribe accepts several common audio and video formats. The uploaded media file must be no longer than 30 minutes. If your interview is longer, you can create a copy and clip it into segments of less than 30 minutes. Then combine the text generated for each segment in your word processor document.
oTranscribe - This free transcription app allows you to upload video or audio content and control the playback speed. We recommend using it in combination with TurboScribe (see above). You can upload your audio or video file to TurboScribe to automatically generate a rough draft of your transcript. You can then upload the media file to oTranscribe and play it, using the playback controller to slow down, speed up, or move to different points of the recording. This will make it easier to edit the text of your transcript so that it is an accurate representation of the recorded interview.
Express Scribe - There's a free version of this app. Click on the link on the left and look for the "Download the free version of Express Scribe here" link. When you click on that, a download will begin. You can access the Express Scribe help manual here and find more technical information and user support here.
Otter.ai - This app offers a Basic Plan which is free. Click on the link on the left and go to the "Pricing" tab, where you'll find the information for the Basic Plan. Check the features it provides to make sure they work for you.
Other transcription apps:
Google Docs - You can use the Google Docs voice typing feature to transcribe your audio. After you activate this feature, listen to your audio on your headphones and repeat what you hear into your microphone. The words you speak will be typed on the Google Doc. Although this method can be useful and save you time, there will probably be plenty of inaccuracies. Make sure to review the text to correct mistakes.
YouTube - You can upload your video file to YouTube and use the "Subtitles" feature to generate a transcript automatically. Make sure the subtitles are set to the correct language. After the file has uploaded, access the video and open the description pane. Then click on the "Show transcript" button. A transcript with timestamps will appear on the right. You can copy the content of the transcript and paste it in a word processor document. Make sure to check the generated text against the video to correct any mistakes (the app oTranscribe is very helpful for this).
If you are just uploading to YouTube to create the transcript and you do not want the video to be available, set the video's visibility to "Private". This can be done when uploading or afterwards. When you're done with your transcription, you can delete the video from YouTube.
Translating oral history interviews can greatly enhance the reach of the collected memories and life stories. Nonetheless, care must be taken not to distort or misrepresent the original expressions in the process of translating them. Below are some resources that discuss the translation of oral histories.
Guidelines for Social Justice Oral History Work (Oral History Association) - This document contains some minor statements related to translation of oral histories. You can find them under the following headings: