The Importance of Transcription in the Study of Spoken Language

In the field of English language and linguistics, much attention is given to human communication and interaction. Therefore, the data collected for analysis is often spoken language, also known as spoken data. However, in order to thoroughly examine and analyze this data, it must first be transcribed into written form.

Transcription involves converting spoken language into a written format, creating a transcript that can be used for analysis. This enables a more thorough examination of the language used, including informal features that may not be present in written language.

In this article, we will explore the reasons behind transcribing spoken data, the process of transcription, the use of the International Phonetic Alphabet, and guidelines for citing speech transcriptions.

The Purpose of Transcribing Spoken Language

Due to the nature of spoken language, it is not always possible to listen to it repeatedly. Transcription offers a permanent written record of the spoken data, making it easier to analyze and compare. This is especially beneficial in areas of linguistics like sociolinguistics, where the language of different speakers may need to be compared.

Moreover, transcription allows for the study of language differences among speakers, influenced by social factors such as age, class, gender, occupation, ethnicity, and region. Additionally, it enables a closer examination of accent and pronunciation features, which can vary among speakers and are often studied in fields like phonetics and phonology.

The Process of Transcribing Spoken Data

Before transcription can begin, the spoken data must first be collected. This is usually done through audio or video recordings. While audio recordings are essential for analysis, they may not always be the most practical means of storing data. Transcribing the data into written form allows for easier access and quicker search for specific information.

When transcribing, it is crucial to consider two factors: ethics and the observer's paradox. Ethically, it is essential to obtain permission from individuals before recording their speech, as failure to do so could be a violation of their privacy. Any study involving spoken data must undergo ethical considerations and ensure that all necessary permissions have been obtained.

The observer's paradox refers to the challenge of recording natural spoken language. As humans, we tend to speak differently when we are aware of being recorded, which can affect the authenticity of the data being collected. Therefore, it is important to minimize the observer's presence and make the speakers feel at ease, in order to obtain the most natural data possible.

In summary, transcription is a crucial step in studying spoken language and allows for a deeper analysis of its various features. It provides a written record of the spoken data, making it easier to analyze, compare, and understand. By following ethical guidelines and minimizing the observer's presence, researchers can obtain reliable and authentic spoken data for transcription.

Tips for Overcoming the Observer's Paradox

One of the major challenges in collecting spoken data is overcoming the observer's paradox. This occurs when a speaker is aware of being recorded and consciously or subconsciously alters their speech. Here are some strategies to address this issue:

• Ask for permission to record before conducting the conversation, and then record when the speaker is not expecting it.
• Inform the speaker that they are being recorded and start with casual topics before moving on to the conversation you want to record. This will help them settle into speaking more naturally.

By using these methods, the recorded data may reflect more natural speech patterns.

The Process of Transcribing Spoken Language

Prior to transcribing data, it is important to provide some context. This should include the location, date, and time of the interaction, as well as the identities of the speakers. Relevant contextual information, such as gender, should also be noted.

When transcribing, it is essential to listen to the recording multiple times to ensure accuracy. It is easy to mishear and automatically correct what is heard. Taking the time to thoroughly and accurately transcribe spoken data is crucial for obtaining reliable and valuable insights.

How to Accurately Transcribe Spoken Data

Transcribing spoken data can be a challenging task, as it requires capturing all the features of communication without any bias. It is essential to make annotations for noteworthy remarks and review the transcript multiple times to ensure accuracy.

Features of Speech in Transcriptions

Transcriptions include various features of speech, such as:

• False start - when a speaker starts and pauses before restarting. Example: John: I don't think... I didn't really see him.
• Micro-pauses - brief pauses in speech lasting less than one-tenth of a second. Example: (.)
• Pause - a longer pause indicated by the length in seconds. Example: (0.6)
• Interruptions - when one speaker interrupts another. Indicated by two slashes. Example: John: I did see that the game // was on over the weekend. Peter: // The game was amazing!
• Simultaneous speech - when two speakers speak at the same time, marked by lines on either side. Example: John: Did you see the game? It was amazing, | there was a goal right at the end of the second half! | Peter: | It was so close! I couldn't believe they got in there so quick with that goal. |
• Repetition - when the same word or phrase is repeated. Example: John: I did see that. I did see that yeah.
• Stutter - when a speaker struggles to maintain fluent speech. Example: Tom: D d d did you see the g g game?
• Filler - small words inserted between utterances. Example: John: erm, did see uh, that it like, was really sudden.

In addition, transcribing specific speech sounds using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) can enhance accuracy. The IPA was designed to eliminate confusion caused by variations in pronunciation and accurately represent speech sounds.

For instance, the letter 'c' in English can have different sounds, as in 'cat' and 'centipede.' In IPA, these sounds are differentiated using symbols, such as /kæt/ for cat and /sɛntɪpi:d/ for centipede.

Using IPA for Accurate Transcriptions

While transcribing entire extracts in IPA may not be necessary, understanding its basics is crucial, especially for A-level English language studies. For a comprehensive list of IPA symbols, refer to the IPA chart available on https://commons.wikimedia.org/.

Analyzing Pronunciation with IPA

The International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) is a valuable tool for identifying and transcribing pronunciation features. One such feature is the glottal stop, which is a brief closing of the throat that creates a pause in the airflow. In some languages and dialects, glottal stops replace certain consonants. The IPA symbol for the glottal stop is /ʔ/. For example, the word "hat" in some dialects can be transcribed as either /hat/ or /haʔ/ depending on the pronunciation of the "t." When using IPA, enclose the transcribed word in slanted brackets to indicate its use.

The IPA chart also includes diacritics and suprasegmentals, which are small marks that provide additional information about prosodic features like tone, intonation, rhythm, and stress. For a more detailed transcription, use square brackets to record these extra elements of speech sound.

Transcription Examples

To transcribe spoken data accurately, it is necessary to use diacritics and suprasegmentals to indicate stress, syllables, and linking of speech. For instance, a conversation between two friends planning a trip can be transcribed as follows:

• Polly: Well I was thinking that we could all get the train together.
• Laura: (0.5) Yeah… Yeah well I was going to say I could drive some of (.) four of us.
• Polly: Oh yeah (2) Well how about (.) | how about girls | in the car and boys on the train.
• Laura: How about we | Yeah that sounds okay (1) We’ll have to //
• Polly: // I mean (.) we’ll have to see (.) Like we’ll have to ask the boys what they think
• Laura: Yeah yeah

In this example, we can observe various speech features, such as Laura's half-second pause in the second line and the use of simultaneous speech in the fourth line. By using accurate transcriptions, we can analyze and understand the detailed features of speech in spoken data.

Understanding Transcription: Guidelines for Ethical and Accurate Representation

Transcription involves converting spoken language into a written or printed form for analysis. This process must be carried out with consideration for ethics and the observer's paradox. With the use of the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), features of spoken language, such as interruptions, pauses, and simultaneous speech, can be accurately represented. When citing a speech transcript, it is important to provide context and accurately reference specific line numbers.

How To Transcribe Speech

To transcribe speech, the first step is to record it and then write out the spoken words. It is crucial to take note of any interruptions, pauses, or simultaneous speech and accurately mark them in the transcript for a comprehensive representation of the spoken data.

Citing and Quoting a Speech Transcript

When citing a transcript, it is recommended to provide a brief overview of the context, including the year and relevant information about the speakers and the setting. Throughout the discussion and analysis, specific line numbers should be referenced to clearly indicate what is being discussed. Short utterances should be enclosed in quotation marks, while longer quotes can be separated and followed by an explanation, with line numbers provided.

Guidelines for Creating a Transcript

A well-organized transcript should include a brief overview of the interaction, followed by clear divisions for each speaker, with their names listed on the left side of the page. Each line should also be numbered to facilitate referencing. In addition to the spoken words, relevant context related to the research topic, such as the participants and the setting, should also be included. Speech features, such as pauses, interruptions, simultaneous speech, fillers, and false starts, should be accurately marked for a complete representation of the spoken data.

Key Takeaways

In summary, transcription is the process of converting spoken data into a written or printed form for analysis. It is important to accurately represent speech features using the IPA, and to provide necessary context when citing or quoting a transcript. A well-organized transcript should include clear divisions for each speaker, numbered lines, and details related to the research topic.