How an Audio Typist and a Transcriptionist are Different

by | Last updated Nov 28, 2022 | Published on Nov 18, 2014 | Transcription Services

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Audio TypistIt is not surprising that many people tend to think a transcriptionist’s job is just like that of an audio typist. After all, both are basically involved in the documentation of the audio records. However, these two services are quite different. Let’s see how.

Audio typists might have work exposure in diverse office settings dealing with office correspondence such as letters, memos, and reports. Their job becomes quite simple over time as it mainly involves handling the boss’s dictation. They would become familiar with his voice, accent, quirks, and the type of content dictated. However, the role of a transcriptionist is more challenging as special skills and training are necessary to deal with the changing work scenario. Business transcription service, for instance, could involve transcribing the voice of more than one person when dealing with a one-to-one interview or a multi-group discussion.

A transcriptionist, say working for a legal firm, needs to have a great deal of patience and listening skills to transcribe for hours continuously without affecting accuracy. Unlike the audio typist, a legal transcription professional should be able to understand varying accents and dialects. Challenges would also include poor audio quality and recordings with noises and distractions.

A transcriptionist may have to handle complex projects relating to a variety of subjects in fields such as legal, educational, finance, media, business, healthcare, and much more. This means that in addition to good English language skills, they would also have to be well informed about the terminology and jargon in the specific area they are handling. They must also have an aptitude for online research to clarify meanings of unfamiliar terms and content. The audio typist who works in an office scenario would be handling more the same type of information every day.

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