The Transformer is a software tool for scientists who work with transcribed linguistic data. It addresses conversation analysts, phoneticians, anthropologists, and other social scientists who want to analyze digital audio or video data and language. The Transformer is a program to manage and convert transcribed linguistic and aligned data in a quick, safe, and easy way.

Lately a variety of computer tools for transcribing language recordings has emerged (cp. links). Most of these programs offer the possibility to align transcriptions to the digital media file. This means that not only verbal but also temporal data is acquired, for example the beginning and the end of a speakers turn in a conversation. This function offers many advantages. You get a direct link between transcript and spoken word and a faster access to the recordings.

 

However, most of the available transcription tools have two major disadvantages:

• Lack of exchange: Most oft the transcription tools cannot read the file formats of other programs. This, however, would be desirable, since each program offers different possibilities to analyze data. Even worse still: in most cases data cannot be exported, for example to a database.
• Lack of presentation: Most programs don’t use the possibilities to present linguistic data in different ways. This might be a transcript displaying only the verbal information or a diagram including also the temporal information. This is highly relevant not only for analyzing but also publishing your data.

 

The Transformer is a tool that seeks to close this gap.

• The Transformer can read and write the file formats of different annotation programs. This function allows you to use and analyze your data in different programs or store it in your data-base.
• The Transformer can represent your data in different ways. You can not only display your data within the Transformer but also include it in your word processor.

 

The Transformer itself is not an annotation tool. But It allows you to change the format of your data and save it to a variety of output formats.

 

Most of the output formats are highly customizable due to your needs. You can automatically calculate pauses, include line numbers and temporal information, set the width of the transcript, etc. You can also display a selected variety of your speakers or transform only parts of your data. If you do so, the Transformer can extract the sound or video corresponding to your selection.