Transkribieren

Transkribieren is a German verb meaning to transcribe; it denotes converting information from one representation into another. The most common use is turning spoken language into written text, but the term also appears in biology and music. The corresponding noun is Transkription.

In linguistics, transcription records speech using symbols. The simplest form is orthographic transcription, writing down what is heard. More detailed forms use phonetic or phonemic transcription, typically with the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). Transcripts can be time-aligned with audio and used for analysis, education, or documentation.

In music, transcribing means creating a new notation of a composition for a different instrument or ensemble. A piece originally written for orchestra might be transcribed for piano, guitar, or voice. The process requires adjusting range, timbre, and texture while preserving musical ideas.

In biology, Transkription (transcription) is the first stage of gene expression, when a DNA template is copied into RNA. RNA polymerase binds to a promoter, initiating transcription, followed by elongation and termination. The resulting messenger RNA serves as a template for protein synthesis.

With advancing technology, transcription also refers to converting audio into written text by computer-assisted or human transcribers. Automatic speech recognition systems are common but may require correction for accuracy, especially with unfamiliar terms or noisy recordings.