What is the Difference Between Translation and Transcription?

In order to understand the difference between translation and transcription, the easiest way is to remember translation as happening from one language to another, whereas transcription is done from one medium to another. Both processes require thought and attention, although they may be handled by two different sets of people.

Medical transcriptionists who work from spoken or handwritten information to produce typed and accurate information records typically do the transcription process today. The level of quality required means that this is still work that must be accomplished by human beings. Software may help the process, but will not replace the human medical transcriptionist.

For similar reasons, medical translation that involves converting medical information written in one language into a second language, is typically handled by professional translators who are specialized in medical terms. These people need to have considerable knowledge of the subject while at the same time being competent in the use of publishing and audio software to complement their own actions. The translation is often done from non-English language into English where a much wider audience can then appreciate the information.

For translation, like transcription, software can help the process, but will not today replace the competent medical translator. Whatever the difference between translation and transcription, interpreting the exact sense of words spoken in a foreign language, being exact in the use of grammar and in overall relevance, are still activities where a human being will score higher than a machine.

Where software can provide valuable assistance is in the proof reading of text, not so much for the meaning but for the exactness of spelling and punctuation. Whether or not software will ever completely replace the human being is still an open question. Some claim that it is only a matter of time. However, whatever the case, both transcription this and translators can use existing software capability to gain time by offloading the simpler chores which can be efficiently done by software.

Transcription must also observe the same standard of quality concerning meaning, grammar and spelling. However the source of information and the way that a transcriptionist handles it differs somewhat from the work of a translator. The transcription list is typically dealing with the spoken word or perhaps handwritten notes, whereas the translator is often working directly from an electronic file or at least a clear typed script. The two roles are complementary. For example, for a translator to work efficiently, transcription of the original information source needs to be done at some point as well.

Even if traditional medical transcription is an activity that seems somewhat outdated in this highly automated information age, it is still the only way to provide the documentation that is necessary in order to observe the requirements of the regulator and the health insurance provider.

The written text produced by a medical transcriptionist will serve in a number of ways and will be stored and exchanged in between different electronic data banks. With slight difference between translation and transcription, it is essential that the source data is correctly interpreted and transcribed, to prevent any error from being replicated throughout many different hospital information systems.