When we transcribe conversations, we use normal orthographic conventions rather than e.g. phonetic transcription. We do however use phonetic symbols when focussing on the pronunciation of specific words or phrases.
Since conversations unfold in real time and since speakers use their voices in many ways that can have meaning, special conventions for the transcription of conversations have been developed. We use is the so-called Conversation Analytic transcription conventions invented by Gail Jefferson, where we have added some symbols from the TalkBank (read about data). Here is a list of the symbols we use:
Symbol | Description | Meaning |
: | Colon | Non-phonemic prolongation of the preceding sound |
hun | Underlining | Stress. The more underlining, the more stress |
·hhh | Raised dot | Indicates that the following sounds is spoken on inbreath |
f[å dem] | Square parenthesis | Indicates start and end of overlapping speech |
↘ | Diagonal downwards arrow | After an utterance, indicates falling final intonation |
→ | Straight arrow | After utterance, indicates level final intonation |
↗ | Diagonal upwards arrow | After utterance, indicates rising final intonation |
↑ | Up arrow | Indicates that the following syllable is pronounced with a extra high tone |
↓ | Down arrow | Indicates that the following syllable is pronounced with an extra low tone |
▔ady▔ | Topscore | Surrounds high-pitched speech |
_hva_ | Underscore | Surrounds low-pitched speech |
(.) | Period in parenthesis | Micropause: 0.2 seconds or less |
(0.3) | Number in parenthesis | Pauses: Indicated in seconds with one decimal |
lilleb- | Hyphen | Indicates audible cut-off |
☺ | Smiley | Surrounds smiley voice |
§ | Paragraph symbol | Surrounds extra clear articulation |
>ord< | Arrow parenthesis pointed towards the speech | Surrounds fast speech |
<sætte> | Arrow parenthesis pointed away from speech | Surrounds slow speech |
° | Degree symbol | Surrounds speech in a low volume |
HALLO | Capital letters | Indicates that speaking at a loud volume |
* | Askerisk | Surrounds speech with creaky voice |
= | Equals sign | In the end of one line and in the beginning of another, indicates that these two lines are latched |
(x x) | Parentheses with x's | Indicates speech that cannot be deciphered, or where the transcription is dubious |
{} | Curly brackets | Indicates gesture and gaze |
