How the Transcription Process Went

Transcribing old english documents can sometimes be tricky, especially when the author is a little careless like Powell in his diary.  It is written in a sloppy cursive with many spelling errors and a few pronouns, causing issues while rewriting.

Screen Shot 2014-09-11 at 4.23.33 PM
In the beginning, the transcription started slow with a few errors, but it eventually started to pick up.

Also, the rewriting part of transcription be difficult digitally because there aren’t many softwares that do not automatically autocorrect all spelling errors or indents, which makes the writer have to double and triple check to make sure the computer does not act too smart.  Also, sometimes there are other parts in the book that are not intended, like ink bleed through or ink blotches that can make reading the material very difficult, if possible at all. With that being said, transcribing can also be a breeze at times, where some parts are written beautifully with no ink bleed through from the other side of the page and the author took their time.

Screen Shot 2014-09-11 at 4.23.49 PM
After finishing the whole page of the Powell Diary and some editing, I was able to finish my (very short) first transcription.

There are many parts of transcription that are very simplistic, which makes it very relaxing.  So while it can be tricky and difficult due to the lack of universal grammar, spelling and punctuation, it is still soothing.

Overall, I give transcription a 9.4 out of 10.


Posted

in

by

Tags: