Transcription vs. Translation: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Transcription is the process of converting spoken words into written text, while translation involves changing text from one language to another.
Key Differences
Transcription refers to the process of converting spoken language into written form. It involves capturing verbal communication and accurately representing it in text, retaining the original language and meaning. Translation, on the other hand, involves converting text from one language to another, ensuring the meaning, tone, and context are effectively communicated in the target language.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Transcription is about capturing the exact spoken words in written format, often used in legal, medical, and business contexts to create records of conversations and speeches. Translation involves interpreting the meaning of the text in the source language and expressing it in a different language, crucial for cross-cultural communication and understanding.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
In Transcription, the focus is on accuracy and fidelity to the spoken word, often including pauses, hesitations, and non-verbal sounds in detailed transcripts. Translation requires not just linguistic skills but also cultural understanding, as it involves conveying idioms, expressions, and cultural references accurately in another language.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Transcription can be verbatim, including every word and sound, or edited for clarity, removing irrelevant parts. In contrast, Translation may involve adapting phrases and concepts to fit the linguistic structure and cultural context of the target language, sometimes straying from a word-for-word conversion.
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Dec 13, 2023
Transcription serves as a written record of oral communications, useful for reference, analysis, or legal purposes. Translation, however, bridges language barriers, allowing content to be accessible and understandable to a wider, linguistically diverse audience.
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Dec 13, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Language
Remains in the original language.
Changes from one language to another.
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Dec 13, 2023
Process
Converts spoken words to written form.
Converts written text to a different language.
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Dec 13, 2023
Skill Set
Requires excellent listening and typing skills.
Requires linguistic and cultural knowledge.
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Dec 13, 2023
Fidelity
Often verbatim, capturing exact words.
Focuses on conveying meaning, not word-for-word.
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Dec 13, 2023
Purpose
Creates a record of verbal communication.
Facilitates understanding across languages.
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Dec 13, 2023
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Transcription and Translation Definitions
Transcription
Recording of live speech in written form.
The court reporter's transcription of the trial was meticulous.
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Dec 08, 2023
Translation
Rendering of spoken or written words into another language.
The translation of the speech was broadcasted simultaneously.
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Dec 08, 2023
Transcription
Writing down of music by ear.
The musician's transcription of the jazz solo was impressive.
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Dec 08, 2023
Translation
The act or process of translating, especially from one language into another.
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Dec 08, 2023
Transcription
Conversion of audio recordings into text.
The journalist transcribed the interview for her article.
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Dec 08, 2023
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Translation
(Physics) Motion of a body in which every point of the body moves parallel to and the same distance as every other point of the body.
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Dec 08, 2023
Translation
(Biology) The process by which messenger RNA directs the amino acid sequence of a growing polypeptide during protein synthesis.
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Dec 08, 2023
Transcription
(Linguistics) A representation of speech sounds in phonetic symbols.
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Dec 08, 2023
Transcription
(Genetics) The synthesis of messenger RNA from a DNA template through the formation of base pairs, resulting in a transfer of genetic information that codes for amino acid sequences composing proteins.
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Dec 08, 2023
Translation
The conversion of text from one language to another.
This old text needs translation into modern English before it is published.
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Dec 08, 2023
Translation
(translation studies) The discipline or study of translating written language (as opposed to interpretation, which concerns itself with spoken language).
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Dec 08, 2023
Translation
The conversion of something from one form or medium to another.
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Dec 08, 2023
Transcription
(music) An adaptation of a composition.
These frame tale interludes frequently include transcriptions of Italian folk songs.
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Dec 08, 2023
Translation
A motion or compulsion to motion in a straight line without rotation or other deformation.
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Dec 08, 2023
Translation
(mathematics) A relation between two mathematical figures such as a straight line where the coordinates of each point in one figure is a constant added to the coordinates of a corresponding point in the other figure.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 08, 2023
Transcription
(linguistics) A representation of speech sounds as phonetic symbols.
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Dec 08, 2023
Translation
(genetics) The process whereby a strand of mRNA directs assembly of amino acids into proteins within a ribosome.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 08, 2023
Transcription
The act or process of transcribing, or copying; as, corruptions creep into books by repeated transcriptions.
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Dec 08, 2023
Translation
The conveyance of something from one place to another, especially:
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Dec 08, 2023
Translation
(countable) The product or end result of an act of translating, in its various senses.
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Dec 08, 2023
Transcription
An arrangement of a composition for some other instrument or voice than that for which it was originally written, as the translating of a song, a vocal or instrumental quartet, or even an orchestral work, into a piece for the piano; an adaptation; an arrangement; - a name applied by modern composers for the piano to a more or less fanciful and ornate reproduction on their own instrument of a song or other piece not originally intended for it; as, Liszt's transcriptions of songs by Schubert.
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Dec 08, 2023
Translation
The act of translating, removing, or transferring; removal; also, the state of being translated or removed; as, the translation of Enoch; the translation of a bishop.
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Dec 08, 2023
Transcription
Something written, especially copied from one medium to another, as a typewritten version of dictation
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Dec 08, 2023
Translation
The act of rendering into another language; interpretation; as, the translation of idioms is difficult.
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Dec 08, 2023
Transcription
(genetics) the organic process whereby the DNA sequence in a gene is copied into mRNA; the process whereby a base sequence of messenger RNA is synthesized on a template of complementary DNA
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 08, 2023
Translation
That which is obtained by translating something a version; as, a translation of the Scriptures.
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Dec 08, 2023
Transcription
A sound or television recording (e.g., from a broadcast to a tape recording)
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 08, 2023
Translation
A transfer of meaning in a word or phrase, a metaphor; a tralation.
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Dec 08, 2023
Transcription
The act of making a record (especially an audio record);
She watched the recording from a sound-proof booth
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Dec 08, 2023
Translation
Motion in which all the points of the moving body have at any instant the same velocity and direction of motion; - opposed to rotation.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 08, 2023
Transcription
Detailed written representation of a speech.
His transcription of the lecture helped students study.
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Dec 08, 2023
Translation
A written communication in a second language having the same meaning as the written communication in a first language
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Dec 08, 2023
Transcription
Documentation of spoken words for accessibility.
The transcription of the seminar made it accessible for the deaf community.
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Dec 08, 2023
Translation
The act of changing in form or shape or appearance;
A photograph is a translation of a scene onto a two-dimensional surface
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Dec 08, 2023
Translation
(mathematics) a transformation in which the origin of the coordinate system is moved to another position but the direction of each axis remains the same
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Dec 08, 2023
Translation
(genetics) the process whereby genetic information coded in messenger RNA directs the formation of a specific protein at a ribosome in the cytoplasm
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 08, 2023
Translation
Converting text from one language to another.
The novel's translation into French won an award.
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Dec 08, 2023
Translation
Interpreting the meaning of words in another language.
His translation of the ancient text revealed its secrets.
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Dec 08, 2023
Translation
Adaptation of a text to a different cultural context.
The translation of the ad campaign considered local customs.
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Dec 08, 2023
Translation
Transformation of written material for a new audience.
The children's book translation was a hit in other countries.
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Dec 08, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can a transcription be in a different language from the original speech?
No, transcription stays in the original language of the speech.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
What is translation?
Translation is changing text from one language to another.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Does translation involve cultural understanding?
Yes, translation often requires cultural knowledge for accurate interpretation.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Are transcription and translation the same?
No, transcription is about converting speech to text, while translation involves changing languages.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
What's an example of translation use?
Translating books for international readers is a common use.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Can anyone do transcription?
While many can transcribe, it requires skill to do it accurately and efficiently.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
What's an example of transcription use?
Transcribing interviews for journalistic purposes is a common use.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Can anyone translate text?
Effective translation requires language expertise and is not just bilingualism.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
What is transcription?
Transcription is converting spoken language into written text.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Is transcription always verbatim?
Not always; it can be verbatim or edited for clarity.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Is translation only for written text?
Mostly, but it can also include spoken word (interpreting).
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
What skills are essential for transcription?
Good listening and fast, accurate typing skills are crucial for transcription.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
How does translation bridge cultural gaps?
It allows people from different linguistic backgrounds to understand and appreciate diverse content.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Can translation be automated?
Yes, with tools like machine translation, but human oversight is often needed for accuracy.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Is transcription used in legal proceedings?
Yes, transcription is often used to create written records in legal contexts.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Can translation change the meaning of the original text?
Good translation maintains the original meaning, though some adaptation may occur.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Is transcription only for spoken words?
Primarily, yes, but it can also include transcribing music by ear.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
What skills are essential for translation?
Language proficiency and cultural understanding are key for translation.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
How does transcription benefit the deaf community?
It provides written access to spoken content, enhancing accessibility.
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Dec 13, 2023
Can transcription be automated?
Yes, through speech recognition technology, but it may lack accuracy.
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Dec 13, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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