Transcription that includes an interpreter

[New Leaf VA]

Hello everyone,

I'm new to this community and happy to be here. There have been so many times that I've found a wealth of information here when I was searching for guidance on the Internet. I haven't introduced myself as a new member--which I will do soon--but right now I need an answer to a queestion.

I've just received an audio to transcribe for a client which consists of an interview between the interviewer, the interviewee who speaks Spanish, and his interpreter.

This is a first for me. How would you note the interpreter's questions to the interviewee, and his answers, which are all in Spanish? Certainly, even if you were bilingual, you wouldn't include everything twice, or would you?
Not being bilingual, is this a transcription I should even take on?

SueAnne Warren
New Leaf Virtual Assistance
sueanne@newleafva.com

[The Perfect Word]

If the client is okay with the Spanish not being interpreted, then you do something like this:

Q: Where was the damage on your car?
Interpreter: [Speaking in Spanish.]
Jose: [Speaking in Spanish.]
Interpreter: On the left front fender.

Whatever I put in brackets is not actually being said on the tape. On many of my transcripts, I also have to note things like laughter and coughing, which I also put in brackets. [Group laughter.]

Make sure you ask them, though. One time someone called me who actually needed the Spanish translated by the transcriptionist even though there was someone on the recording interpreting.

Hope this helps some.

[The Office Virtuoso]

I have done bilingual (Spanish/English) transcription before and I actually found it a little easier because I didn't have to rewind as often, because I was hearing everything twice (once in English and once in Spanish). I only transcribed it one time though.
I would recommend checking with your client first to see what they are expecting!

[New Leaf VA]

Thank you, both. This is very helpful.

SueAnne Warren
New Leaf Virtual Assistance