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Extremely fast talking with an accent. - Mel

Posted: Feb 07, 2011

I have been transcribing for 11 years and everytime I get a fasting talking dictator with an accent, it slows me down so much that it affects my production. I have slowed down the speed and added several expanders but that does not seem to help.

Are there any tips or suggestions anyone has that can help?

Thanks,

Mel

suggestions.... - gertie

[ In Reply To ..]
Breathe...as many deep ones as you can...then settle in and remember that when you finally get that dictator, you'll have it! I know how you feel and the only way I've gotten through those times is to breathe deeply...many times...slow down...and know that often times if I am able to master that doc, then I have some job security. Give yourself an "I CAN" attitude and KNOW that you CAN!!! You got this...just believe!!!

Thank you. - Mel

[ In Reply To ..]
It helps to know that I am not alone.

Mel

the faster they talk the slower I type - OldHandAtThis

[ In Reply To ..]
Just tell yourself that life will get better in the next century or so when you finally finish that damn report. Sometimes I promise myself that when I finally get the miserable thing finished, I will reward myself with something more fun to do -- such as cleaning out the garage or doing my taxes. This is just one of those things we all have to put up with from time to time, you are most definitely not alone.

agree. plus, I have no problem leaving blanks. - NM anmt

[ In Reply To ..]
.

Here's What I Do - Old, Old MT

[ In Reply To ..]
I look away to distract myself, as if I don't even care what the dictator is saying. I'll just look out the window while my foot is on the pedal, and just observe the scenery. For some reason, the words come to me--kind of like the less I try, the better it comes to me.

I've also gotten up from the desk, and the words come to me while I'm elsewhere in the house. Kind of like a delayed reaction.

If you're at the brink of tears, definitely get up and walk around and relax a bit.

Here's what I do, too. - Pragmatist

[ In Reply To ..]
(BTW, I totally agree with not worrying about leaving blanks for genuinely unintelligible dictators. I've done the relax and watch birds things, and it has worked for me too. I don't think I've EVER been on the brink of tears over one of them, though. :)

The thing is, 9 out of 10, (okay, maybe 4 out of 5) of these dictators, knowing they're hard to follow but wanting usable reports, use the same wording as much as possible each time. VERY early on I learned to avoid dreading difficult dictators by becoming an expert on them as soon as possible. I'll grab a bunch of reports and quickly work up a template, listing all the standard phrases as I figure them out. Happily, once familiar, because of all the repetition I usually end up making pretty decent money on these reports, sometimes very good on a pile of reports others have signed out to avoid. (It's a great system for avoiding resentment over that, too. :) If I can't figure out a nonstandard word, I'm able to quickly recognize it as nonstandard, drop in a blank, and move on, but typically very few need to go to QA for a second try at them, and I'm talking some real stinkers here.

Extremely fast talking with an accent - Lorrie

[ In Reply To ..]
Hi Mel :)

I work at a level 1 trauma center associated with a university and we get a lot of fast talking dictators with accents! Here are a few things I try:

1. Say outloud what it sounds like they are saying - it might sound goofy but often it gives me a clue what is being said.
2. Play with the speed - listen and also adjust the speed as you listen. Many of the dictators have a particular speed they are just easier to hear at and it's not necessarily the slowest speed.
3. If it really starts to get to you, make notes somewhere for your own use about why that dictator is so difficult or tips to yourself about how to do them better. Then - I give them a grade and I am a hard grader! LOL It helps me feel a little relief. No one has earned an F yet but some have come so close!

Hope this helps!
Lorrie

Wow, pragmatist - AA

[ In Reply To ..]
That was great advice. I think it's wonderful information that all of you gave. Thank you, even though I am not the original poster, I could really use the insight that was given. Again, thank you.

Thanks. This thread has a wide variety of approaches. - Whatever works, right? Deeep breath...:)

[ In Reply To ..]
x

Good advice - MTing half my lifetime

[ In Reply To ..]
Doing what the Old, Old MT and Pragmatist suggested is right on the money. Becoming the expert on hard docs is what makes you stand apart from other MTs. You get job satisfaction from doing that also! Great advice!

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