What is verbatim transcription?

Simply put, verbatim transcription is the transcription of every word and sound on the recording along with non-verbal communication such as laughter, pauses, etc. For example:

Interviewer: Did you ever correspond with him at the time?

Interviewee: [Silence] No… er… I don’t recall that. I think.. um… I think I have some letters from him in my file though…which came some months…years later.

In the verbatim style of transcription text is NOT edited to remove fillers (ums, ahs, ers, etc.), false starts (incomplete sentences), repeated words/sentences, and even grammatical errors. Everything is typed just as it’s there on the recording.

The style can also be customized to specific needs of a project. For example, a project might require noting any pauses that are 5 seconds or more and the shorter ones, or it might be desirable to have the main interviewee’s words transcribed verbatim but not necessary to give the same amount of detail for the speech of additional participants.

Verbatim transcription is ideal for research transcription, PhD interviews, market research interviews, movie scripts, B-roll transcription, and other projects where HOW something is said is equally important as WHAT’s being said. However, if you’re looking for a clean, easy-to-read document Clean Read transcription may be a better choice.

The style requires a keen ear, attention to detail, and a LOT more time than other styles of transcription.  Consequently the charges for this style of transcription are normally higher than others.