SIL Transcriber

SIL Language Technology

Flexible audio-text hybrid orality solution

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RELEASE ANNOUNCEMENT:

The Audio Project Manager 2.16.0 is available! It replaces SIL Transcriber more info »

SIL Transcriber is a web or desktop application that simplifies the transcription of speech audio files. It provides solutions for oral Bible translation, oral drafting, storying and general transcription projects.

Flexible audio-text hybrid

SIL Transcriber provides a flexible tool for those using orality with a customizable workflow, internalization resources that are audio or display oriented, threaded discussions, community checking, and back translation tools. The goal is to provide a hybrid audio-text solution allowing those doing the work to choose oral only or a mixture of oral and text contributions.

Work as a team

SIL Transcriber’s simple design works even for those without extensive computer experience. The Administrator uses the web admin tools to setup the project and assign the work if desired. The Transcribers and Editors can be two groups or a single individual filling both roles (or even all three roles). Transcription can be done online with the web app or offline with the Desktop Extension.

Screenshot of Paratext

Send to Paratext

Once the transcription is completed and reviewed, send it directly to Paratext. SIL Transcriber keeps track of the book, chapter and verse ranges. On the web app, this will be sent to the Paratext repo so each Paratext user can sync to their device. The Desktop Extension syncs to the Paratext installation on the local machine so it will work without an Internet connection.

Questions and Answers

Do I need a foot pedal?

No, but you can use one to enhance your performance. Audio controls like start, stop, and skip (forward/back) can be controlled with keyboard shortcuts or buttons in the app. Start, stop, and skip can also be controlled with a USB or bluetooth foot pedal. 

A pedal is the industry standard tool for controlling audio in transcription. It may take some time to get used to, but using your foot to control audio lets you keep your fingers on alphabetical keys so that you don’t have to keep resetting them every time you control the audio.

Language Support

Transcriptions can be typed in any language and there was an attempt to include a reasonable font for all languages. If a special keyboard is required, you need to install it separately. more info »

Interface available in  English and French. Request or offer to translate additional languages on the community forum.

System requirements

Requires Windows 10+ or Linux.

To use SIL Transcriber on macOS, please make a request. The software has been developed so the Desktop Extension could also be released for macOS if needed but of course the web app already runs on the macOS.

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