What role does transcription play?

Short Answer #

Transcription converts spoken language into written language, making recordings easier to search, study, teach, and reuse.

Expanded Answer #

Recordings are incredibly valuable. However, recordings become significantly more useful when paired with transcripts. Transcription allows communities to:

• Search recordings
• Develop dictionaries
• Create lessons
• Publish stories
• Support language learning
• Build future technologies

Without transcription, recordings often remain difficult to navigate. With transcription, recordings become accessible knowledge resources. A transcript acts as a bridge between oral language and written language. Many communities find that transcription becomes one of the most important long-term investments they can make.