Transcription and Translation Guidelines
- Annabel Pinkney (Unlicensed)
Conducting a Transcription of a Written Resource
Works shall be transcribed using the semi-diplomatic transcription method in which the exact text is reproduced as it was originally composed.
Line breaks are maintained.
Original spelling (including special characters) punctuation, capitalization, lineation, and indentation are preserved.
Abbreviations are maintained but clarified in the English translation.
Brevigraphs and ampersands are maintained.
Indecipherable or deleted words, especially those with ink blotches or rendered unreadable by damage to the physical work, will be placed in square brackets with dots representing the number of letters possibly missing. Ex: [D…ten]
Use brackets to describe the location of marginalia or columns of text.
Conducting a Translation of a Written Resource
After transcription, the texts will be analyzed for style, register, and content.
The texts should be translated into English or the desired language. The translator should reference available resources, including dictionaries, textbooks, online resources, and native-speaking colleagues when necessary.
The Omega translation software may be utilized, which facilitates the translation process and keeps a living memory of unique phrases and terminology used in the source language.
Adding a Transcription or Translation in the Digital Collections
Log into the digital collections production server with user credentials.
Locate the work to transcribe, and select “Edit.”
Navigate to the Members tab.
Select “Admin”, then “Edit” next to the asset title to which you would like to add a transcription.
Add transcription and translation text to the appropriate text boxes.
Select “Update Asset” to save.