Translation and transcription: what are the differences?

Translation and transcription are two different services, but they can be confused with each other. Although they are both linguistic services, there are different processes and objectives involved. Translation involves converting a text from one language to another, while transcription transforms audio content into text. Here, Optiwords provides an overview of these two specific linguistic fields and helps you to better understand the differences between translation and transcription.

What is transcription? Definition

Transcription is the process of transforming audio or video content into text. It must be faithful to the original recording and may include pauses in speech, or background noise, etc. Transcriptions are used in a variety of contexts, for different types of audiovisual content: interviews, conferences, business meetings, podcasts, videos, etc.

Transcribing audio or video content makes it accessible to a wider audience, particularly the hearing impaired, and encourages its distribution via other media.

The different types of transcriptions

There are several types of transcription, each of which meets specific needs and involves a different methodology for the transcriber:

Verbatim transcription (also known as full audio transcription)

Verbatim transcription consists of transcribing the whole recording, word by word, including language errors, extraneous sounds, and repetitions. In particular, it makes the entire original content accessible to people with hearing impairments.

Synthesised transcription

Synthesised transcription provides a concise summary of the audio content. It is often used for business meeting reports, conference summaries, newsletters or content intended for publication on social networks.

Edited transcription

Finally, edited transcription aims to provide a "clean" text, reviewed, and corrected, without syntax or language errors. It guarantees you will receive a high-quality written text where the integrity and meaning of the audio or video recording has been preserved.

What does translation involve?

Transcription and translation have distinct objectives and require different skills. By definition, translation involves converting a text into another language. It applies to written content (documents, books, websites, articles, etc.) and makes them accessible to an international audience.

Here is an example of translation from French to English:

• French: "La transcription et la traduction sont deux disciplines différentes. Quelle est la définition d’une traduction?"
• English: "Transcription and translation are two different disciplines. What is the definition of translation?"

To translate content effectively, you need to consider the context of the field in question and the linguistic particularities of the target country. A good translation must also consider the cultural differences specific to each country. You should therefore consider using professional native translators to guarantee you receive a high-quality translation.

The different types of translation

Translations can be categorised according to the field to which they refer. Here are a few examples:

• Technical translations
• Legal translations
• Medical translations
• Financial translations
• Fast translations
• Certified translations
• Website translations

The main differences between transcription and translation

Transcription converts audio or video content into written text, without changing the original language. It enables speech to be captured accurately without altering its meaning. It requires great attention to detail, precision, and writing skills.

Translation involves translating a text into another language to make it accessible to different speakers. It must remain faithful to the meaning and tone of the original document, while accurately capturing its linguistic particularities. This requires a perfect command of the target language and the source language, as well as writing skills and a good understanding of the subject matter.

What types of documents are translated, and which are transcribed?

The types of documents translated and transcribed vary according to the content and purpose of the project.

Examples of documents translated:

• Official documents (birth certificates, marriage certificates, diplomas, contracts, etc.)
• Marketing content (brochures, advertisements, presentations, websites, etc.)
• Literary texts (novels, poems, plays, etc.)
• Technical documents (user manuals, instructions, technical specifications, patents, etc.)
• Corporate communications (annual reports, press releases, professional emails, etc.)
• Medical and scientific documents (medical reports, drug information leaflets, research articles, prescriptions, etc.)
• Legal documents (contracts, judgments, laws, testimonies, etc.)

Examples of transcribed content:

• Audio and video recordings (interviews, conferences, meetings, podcasts, etc.)
• Educational content (online courses, university lectures, tutorials, etc.)
• Media content (television content, radio programmes, films, etc.)
• Medical transcription (consultation reports, medical records, etc.)
• Legal transcription (hearings, depositions, witness statements, etc.)
• Financial transcription (trading calls, board meetings, etc.)
• Academic transcription (interviews for qualitative research, focus groups, lectures, etc.)

FAQs on translation and transcription