Transcription isn’t a fly by night or passing phenomenon – on the contrary, it’s played an important role across the globe for thousands of years. Developments in history such as the printing press and the onset of the digital environment has meant that it has been forced to evolve and adapt, but one thing’s for certain: transcription has stood the test of time and has never become extinct.
It has quite some history too.
The markings we still see on caves today that were created over 35,000 years ago in the Neanderthal times mark the very early need as humans to communicate with others in a non-verbal form.
In ancient Egypt scribes played a critical role within the royal court, so much so that they even had their own hieroglyph which represented their plume-and-parchment equipment. They would attend specialist schools for up to 5 years where they would learn to read and write hieroglyphics and hieratic scripts. The scribe would then take his (it predominantly was a man) place in the royal court and be able to enjoy a life exempt from physical labour and taxation!
Fast forward more than a thousand years and whilst the arrival of the printing press did have an effect on the need for scribes, it didn’t affect the need to create a written record. In fact, the ability to produce texts on a large scale saw a huge increase in levels of literacy among the masses, and we’re still riding the wave today.
The basic skills have remained the same since the role began. Being able to listen and record what has been said with speed and accuracy is fundamental, and it always will be. So too is understanding the business context and being able to accurately reflect the content, style and language.
Much has changed though – the modern day transcriber needs to call upon a whole additional set of skills, with recording and other electronic equipment becoming more complex as they advance all the time. Staying ahead of the game is key, and at FSTL we’ve embraced and mastered the developments in transcription at every stage. Honing our skills and embracing the tools available means we can continue to offer a reliable and trusted service to our clients.
Working with audio and video files we transcribe from every conceivable form: from presentations to official inquiries, speeches to press briefings, dissertation interviews to webinars.
You name it, we do it.
In a business world that is increasingly global and where digital advances seem never-ending, the transcription services we provide at FSTL remain the same.
Excellent quality, with fast turnaround and always a steadfast commitment to our clients.