AAERT CET Certified Electronic Transcriber flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Verbatim transcription

A transcription style that records speech exactly as spoken, including filler words, false starts, and repetitions, unless the governing style guide directs otherwise.

Colloquy format

A transcript layout in which each speaker's name or Q/A designation begins a new paragraph at the left margin, followed by a colon and the spoken text.

Inaudible notation

A bracketed marker such as [inaudible] or [inaudible 00:05:12] used when speech cannot be understood, instead of guessing at words.

Speaker attribution

The practice of identifying who is speaking at each change of voice, verified against the audio and the case's participant list during proofreading.

Certified transcript

A final transcript that has been proofread against the audio and carries the transcriber's certification statement attesting to its accuracy.

Timestamp

A running offset from the beginning of an audio file, expressed as hours, minutes, and seconds, used to locate specific testimony in a recording.

Foot pedal controls

A three-pedal device mapped to rewind, play/pause, and fast-forward, allowing a transcriber to control playback without leaving the keyboard.

Variable speed playback

A player feature that slows or speeds audio; pitch correction keeps voices natural and intelligible at reduced speeds.

WAV versus MP3

WAV is an uncompressed audio format with larger file sizes; MP3 is a lossy compressed format that reduces size at some cost to fidelity.

Rough draft transcript

An unedited transcript produced quickly without full proofreading, marked as draft and not certified as an accurate record.

Noise-cancelling headphones

Headphones that reduce steady background noise, helping the transcriber isolate speech in recordings with hum or ambient sound.

Deposition

Sworn out-of-court testimony recorded by a court reporter or electronic recorder, usable at trial for impeachment or when a witness is unavailable.

Arraignment

The initial court appearance at which the defendant is informed of the charges and enters a plea.

Discovery

The pretrial exchange of information between parties, including interrogatories, requests for production, and depositions.

Subpoena duces tecum

A subpoena that commands a witness to produce specified documents or things, in addition to or instead of appearing to testify.

Off the record

A statement by the presiding officer that recording is suspended; the transcript should reflect when recording stops and resumes.

Exhibit marking

The formal identification of a document or object by number or letter during a proceeding, captured in the transcript at the point of marking.

Ruling versus verdict

A ruling is the court's decision on a legal point or objection; a verdict is the factfinder's decision on the case.

Confidentiality obligation

The duty to keep case content private, prohibiting discussion of proceedings outside the assignment and requiring secure handling of recordings and transcripts.

Certification scope

A transcriber certifies accuracy only for work personally produced and proofread, never for another person's unverified transcript.

Conflict of interest

A personal or financial connection to a case that could bias the work, which must be disclosed before the assignment is accepted.

Post-certification correction

Any change to a certified transcript must follow a documented correction process that preserves the original record rather than silently editing it.

Secure transfer

Sending confidential audio and transcripts through encrypted channels and controlled storage, avoiding unencrypted email where disfavored.

Deadline disclosure

The professional duty to notify the client in advance when a committed delivery deadline cannot be met, rather than after it passes.

Sua sponte

Latin for 'of its own accord'; describes a court acting on its own motion without a request from either party.

Ex parte

Latin for 'from one party'; describes a proceeding involving only one side, typically without notice to the opposing party.

Voir dire

The examination of prospective jurors to select a jury, or in some jurisdictions the preliminary examination of a witness.

Hearsay

An out-of-court statement offered to prove the truth of the matter asserted; generally inadmissible, subject to recognized exceptions.

Stipulation

An agreement between opposing parties on a fact or procedure, often stated on the record and reflected in the transcript.

Pro se

Latin for 'for oneself'; describes a party who represents themselves in a legal proceeding without an attorney.

Res ipsa loquitur

Latin for 'the thing speaks for itself'; a doctrine allowing an inference of negligence from the nature of an accident.

Continuance

A postponement or adjournment of a proceeding to a later date, granted by the court on request or on its own motion.