Transcription vs Translation: Key Differences Explained

In 1969, the world watched as Neil Armstrong took humanity’s first steps on the moon, with the iconic words, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” Decades later, these words continue to inspire millions. But have you ever thought about how they were preserved and shared?

Armstrong’s spoken words were transcribed for an accurate historical record—and converted into written text exactly as they were said. On the other hand, these words were translated into countless languages to inspire audiences worldwide, ensuring the message resonated with people from every corner of the globe.

This highlights the core distinction between transcription and translation. Transcription focuses on capturing spoken content as written text within the same language, ensuring accuracy and accessibility. Translation, meanwhile, transcends language barriers, converting converting spoken language or text into a new language while maintaining its meaning and intent. Both processes are essential but serve entirely different purposes.

What is Transcription?

Transcription refers to converting spoken words into written text in the same language. This process ensures that the essence of verbal communication is captured and preserved in a written format. Whether for business, media, or academia, transcription plays a vital role in documentation and accessibility.

According to a report, the global market for Online Transcription Software and Services stood at US$ 3.9 billion in 2024. It is expected to reach US$ 8.7 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 12%.

Use Cases for Transcription

Meeting Notes: Organizations often rely on transcription for accurate minutes of the meeting. For example, tech giants like Microsoft use transcription tools to document team discussions, ensuring transparency and collaboration.

Academic Research: Researchers frequently transcribe interviews or focus group discussions to analyze qualitative data. A sociologist studying urban migration might transcribe hours of interviews to identify recurring themes.

Legal Proceedings: Courts and legal firms depend on verbatim transcription of hearings, depositions, and trials to maintain accurate records.

What is Translation?

Translation involves converting text or spoken words from one language to another while preserving meaning and cultural context. Unlike transcription, translation bridges linguistic divides, enabling communication across diverse audiences.

According to a report from Grand View Research, the global language services market which is valued at $71 billion in 2022, is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.2% from 2023 to 2030. The emergence of AI-powered translation platforms plays a critical role in the future of this industry.

For instance, Murf’s AI-powered translation enables businesses and creators to translate audio or video content into multiple languages accurately and efficiently. This technology simplifies complex translation tasks, helping content resonate with international audiences.

Use Cases for Translation

International Business: Companies like Airbnb translate their platform into over 60 languages to cater to a global user base. This localization has been instrumental in Airbnb’s growth across continents.

Media Localization: Streaming platforms like Netflix and YouTube rely on translation for subtitles and dubbing. For instance, MrBeast’s Spanish YouTube channel, a word-for-word translation of his main content, boasts over 25 million subscribers.

Content Creation: Translating blogs, e-learning modules, or training videos allows creators to reach non-native speakers, breaking language barriers for millions. 

Key Differences Between Transcription and Translation

Transcription and translation are two distinct processes often used in content creation and localization, each serving a unique purpose. Here is a table highlighting the key differences between transcription vs translation in content:

Types of Transcription

Transcription can be broadly classified into three main types, each catering to specific needs:

Verbatim Transcription

Captures every spoken word, including filler words (e.g., “um,” “uh”) and non-verbal sounds like laughter. This is crucial in legal or research settings where accuracy is paramount.

For instance, a court hearing transcription may include every “pause” or “hesitation” to preserve the authenticity of the testimony as per the native language.

Edited Transcription

Focuses on clarity and readability, removing fillers and organizing speech into coherent sentences. Edited transcription is often used for publishing interviews or reports.

For example, a podcast host might transcribe episodes into readable blog posts to boost SEO with the help of transcription services.

Intelligent Transcription

This provides a concise summary, eliminating redundancies while retaining the core message. It is popular in corporate settings for summarizing meetings or presentations.

A project manager might use intelligent transcription to create actionable notes from a two-hour strategy meeting.

Types of Translation

Different types of translation serve various purposes, from preserving the artistic qualities of literature to ensuring clarity in legal and medical documents. Here are some common types of translation:

Literary Translation

This focuses on books, poems, and other creative works, requiring cultural and contextual understanding to retain the original tone and essence.

For example, translating Gabriel García Márquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude into English while preserving the richness of its magical realism, cultural nuances, and emotional depth.

Website Translation

Adapting websites for different languages ensures a seamless user experience across different regions. Companies like Shopify offer multilingual support for e-commerce platforms, allowing global customers to navigate and shop with ease. There are several third-party translation services that help cross language barriers.  

Technical Translation

Used for translating technical manuals, scientific documents, and other specialized texts with precision and accuracy, ensuring technical jargon in the spoken language is accurately conveyed across languages.

For instance, translating a user manual for a high-tech gadget like a drone from English to French, ensures the instructions are clear and technically correct for French-speaking users as part of the translation process.

Judicial Translation

It involves legal documents such as contracts, patents, and court rulings. Precision is key to ensuring that legal terminology is correctly conveyed in the target language.

For example, translating an international business contract from German to English, where the correct legal terms must be used to ensure the contract is enforceable in both languages.

Medical Translation

Translates medical records, research papers, pharmaceutical labels, and more, requiring specialized knowledge in medicine and health-related fields to avoid errors.

For example, translating a pharmaceutical drug label from Spanish to English helps ensure that the active ingredients, dosage instructions, and side effects are communicated clearly and accurately to healthcare professionals.

The Future of Transcription and Translation with AI

Artificial Intelligence is transforming transcription and translation by making them faster, more accurate, and cost-effective. AI tools like Murf use deep learning to process language nuances, accents, and cultural contexts.

How AI Enhances Transcription

• Speech Recognition: AI accurately transcribes multiple speakers in real time, even in noisy environments.
• Scalability: Automated transcription enables companies to handle large volumes of data effortlessly.

How AI Elevates Translation

• Cultural Adaptation: AI detects cultural nuances, ensuring translations resonate with target audiences.
• Speed: AI reduces the time taken to translate large documents or audio content, crucial for industries like media and e-commerce.

Real-Life AI Use Cases

AI plays a critical role in transcription vs translation. Here are some of the real-life AI use cases:

Netflix and AI-Driven Subtitling:

Netflix uses AI to provide subtitles in multiple languages, enabling global audiences to enjoy its content seamlessly. For instance, AI-powered tools help Netflix translate content such as Stranger Things into over 30 languages, ensuring cultural nuances and idiomatic expressions are preserved. Similarly, Netflix’s AI-driven subtitling has enabled popular titles like Money Heist (La Casa de Papel) and Squid Game to reach non-native audiences while retaining the original tone and context.

Murf’s Impact

Murf enables creators to translate voiceovers into multiple languages. With Murf Dub, creators can translate videos in 20+ languages to create voiceovers in multiple languages in just a few clicks. For instance, a documentary filmmaker can now translate their project into many languages, reaching millions globally, without hiring a full team of translators. 

How to Use Murf for Voice or Video Translation

Murf Dub has been created with a simple and efficient design. Here is how you can use Murf for voice or video translation:

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Step 1: Upload Your File: Begin by Creating a Project and uploading your video content by selecting the ‘Add Media’ option.

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Step 2: Choose Languages: Select the ‘Add Language’ option and choose the target languages for translation.

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Step 3: AI Processing: Let Murf process the file, ensuring contextually accurate translations.

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Step 4: Review and Download: Check the final output and download it for your use.

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This intuitive process ensures businesses and creators save time while maximizing reach.

Final Thoughts

Transcription and translation are indispensable tools in today’s interconnected world. The integration of AI, as demonstrated by tools like Murf, is shaping the future of translation and transcription factors, making them accessible, efficient, and accurate.

As the world continues to shrink with digital connectivity, leveraging transcription and translation services effectively will be key to understanding and growth in every sphere of life. By choosing tools like Murf, you’re not just embracing innovation—you're investing in the power of global communication.