Painlessly transcribe life stories with Rev transcription, Google Voice Typing, oTranscribe and more
My transcription shorthand teacher at journalism school started class with a precise English accent, a box of chalk and a silver stopwatch.
Certainly it was grueling work getting faster each week to crack 100 words a minute.
But today alternatives for the recording and transcription of interviews are mind-boggling.
Most importantly they can help us save time and make creating life stories easier…
Related article – Writing tips: The ultimate guide of life-story tips for new writers
Online transcription services
Firstly there are many free and paid transcription services available online that can quickly turn around a life-story recording.
For example, at the time of writing, Rev offered (human) transcription of audio or video to text for US$1.50 per minute.
Meanwhile automated (Artificial Intelligence) transcription using speech recognition was US25c per minute (with the first 45 minutes free).
Obviously human transcription is a higher quality but machine transcription can be a fantastic starting point.
Related article – Staying organised: How to stay organised when creating a life story
Speech-typing software
Did you know most word processor and video meeting software comes with voice-to-text transcription to increase accessibility?
For example, free Google Docs has a Voice typing tool that turns speech into words on the page.
Again, automated transcription is not perfect but it’s worth a try:
- Simply open a Google Docs file on your phone or computer
- Click on the page where you want to start typing
- Go to the Tools menu
- Hit Voice typing
- Click the pop-up microphone
- Start talking or playback a recording
- Watch the words appear on the page!
Related article – Life-story format ideas: See how easily you can record family stories or a life history
DIY web browser apps
Finally, go for it if you want to manually type a transcription!
Indeed I did this when I helped my grandmother write her life story.
However, make the process quicker by using a free web browser app like oTranscribe.
In short, this audio and text editor minimises window toggle and includes simple keyboard shortcuts (play/pause, skip, rewind, jump to time, speed up/down etc).
Related article – Best online writing tools: Story writing apps and writing programs to try and love
Related article – Case study: Helping my 98yo grandmother write her autobiography
Final say
Gone are the tedious, stop-start days of transcribing recordings or learning shorthand.
Today there are so many free and affordable technical options to record memories.
For instance: online transcription services, speech-typing software, and DIY web browser apps.
Certainly there has never been an easier time to create life stories for yourself or a loved one.
Happy writing!
Free gift!
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Your say
Found a helpful tool for creating life stories? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Send me an email or leave a reply in the comments section at the end of this article.
Get in touch
Have you hit a roadblock planning, creating, polishing or finishing your life story? Let me know so I can help!
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First published August 15, 2019: This article has been updated and improved.
