Turn an interview recording into text you can work with.

Keep the recording close to the words

A transcript is useful when it helps you return to what was actually said. Import a supported interview recording into Polyglot, generate the original transcript and keep the source media available for review. Speech recognition supports 25 European languages; check your recording language before choosing this workflow.

Recognition happens on your Mac after model setup. Clear speech helps, but overlapping voices, background noise and unusual names still need attention. The generated text is a draft. Polyglot does not automatically identify speakers or turn the conversation into a summary.

Find your way in Polyglot

Start in Create with the approved audio or video. Review the original wording, then export readable TXT. Files keeps the saved original accessible; Projects keeps its recording attached for checking a quotation.

Check the passages you intend to use

Search for a topic or phrase, then play from its cue to hear the surrounding context. Correct names, numbers and punctuation in the editor. Be especially careful with short answers and negatives: a small transcription error can change the meaning of a quote.

For speaker labels or editorial notes, add your own wording where appropriate. Review important quotes in the recording before publication, even when the transcript reads naturally. Keep editorial interpretation separate from the speaker’s words in the document you prepare next.

Choose a reading copy or a reference copy

Open Export and choose Text transcript. Without timestamps, cue text is joined into readable paragraphs, with breaks around longer pauses. This works well for copying into notes or a document you will format yourself. Subtitle markup and cue numbering are removed.

Enable timestamps when the recipient needs to find a passage in the audio or video. Each cue starts with its time. Use Copy text for the clipboard or Export for a UTF-8 TXT file. The file is plain text, without automatic speaker layout, DOCX formatting or a generated executive summary.

Keep the review trail local

Save the Polyglot project so your corrected text remains connected to the recording. If you translate the interview, review the completed target track and export a separate readable transcript. Translation changes wording across languages; it does not replace checking the original quote.

Send a timestamped reference copy alongside your edited reading copy when a collaborator needs to verify selected passages against the original recording.

Transcription is unlimited during the seven-day trial and requires Pro afterward. Copying text and exporting completed tracks remain free. Existing SRT or VTT can also become readable TXT without transcribing audio or starting the trial.

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