In our contemporary world, it seems relatively easy to “convert” an audio or video file into text. Given good audio quality, open or proprietary software may be used. If audio quality is not optimal, unskilled laborers might theoretically transliterate what they hear. However, neither a machine nor an unqualified worker has the ability to produce a transcription with the following characteristics:

• Impeccable spelling and punctuation
• Discursive feature labelling (pauses, stutters, etc.)
• Paragraph breaking following criteria for coherence and cohesion 
• Minute time marker to make audio/video file queries easier
• Participant and role labelling
• Maximum fidelity with the audio, regardless of quality

All of these characteristics are precisely the added value offered by Lingua Franca in our transcriptions.

In each case, a price estimate based on audio length and quality is given.