--- Forwarded Message from Carine Ullom <[log in to unmask]> ---

>Date: Mon, 29 Apr 2002 14:12:21 -0400
>From: Carine Ullom <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: [log in to unmask]
>To: LLTI <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: dig recording/speech recognition

Hello!
I have a faculty member who plans to undertake research this summer in
Spain involving extensive recording of interviews.  Upon her return,
these interviews (50+ of 1 hour+ each) will be transcribed somehow.  I
have a lot of questions and hardly know where to begin.

Does anyone have experience w/speech recognition software for converting
spoken Spanish to (Spanish) text?  If that's a truly viable option, then
I assume we'll need a digital recorder.
What about digital recorders?  There are so many!  It seems that their
purpose is mainly for use by an individual in a semi-quiet environment.
Have you used a digital recorder with several (3) talkers?  from a
distance of 3-4 feet?  Do I need an omni-directional mic add-on?  What
are the pitfalls?

Before I dive deep into research regarding the best system to purchase,
I thought I'd try to avoid reinventing the proverbial "wheel" and see
what, if any, experience is out there among us.
Awaiting your advice,
Carine

--
Carine Ullom
Director, Language Resource Center/
Instructional Technology Specialist
Department of Modern Languages & Literatures
St. Lawrence University