August
2007
Why, why, WHY verbatim?
As I sit transcribing a very interesting piece about commercialisation of products I have the tune of a Tom Jones (or originally ‘The Sensational Alex Harvey Band’ I believe) song going round in my head … with slightly altered lyrics. ‘Why, why, WHY verbatim? ‘ Now I can fully understand the need for a truly verbatim transcription in a legal document for the courts, or in a study of the use of spoken language, but why on earth does someone need all the ums and ers, coughs, repeated words etc. in a transcription about bringing products to market? Perhaps, I thought, my client doesn’t understand the difference between verbatim and intelligent verbatim? (If you don’t understand this either, please see my article on whether you really need verbatim transcription.) Apparently, however, she does. So, considering it takes longer, costs more, and as far as I can see (as a non-expert in this field) adding nothing useful to the transcript … why is it necessary? I haven’t plucked up the courage to ask yet … but I’m working on it. I’m guessing it’s something to do with a particular theory behind interviewing, but if anyone can tell me exactly what it is I’d really love to know.