Categories: phd
Tags: thesis, interviews, transcriptions
Date: 28 February 2008 14:21:17
Sometimes doing a PhD is so like the game of chinese whispers. I'm currently listening to the interviews I did last summer, whilst reading through the transcriptions, and even though I was there at the time doing the interviews and I have the words in front of me as I am listening, I am still hearing all sorts of different things! And the fact that it's all not in my mother tongue is making it even more of a game. And the fact that the people I'm listening to at the moment spoke really really quickly is only adding to the fun!
Just now I got to a bit where I wasn't convinced that the transcription was correct, so I put the transcription to one side and listened to it with a blank bit of paper and wrote down what I thought I heard. As it happened, the transcription wasn't so far off, it was just that because a couple of words were missed out it totally threw me when I was reading it whilst listening. The actual reply was about guys going to a clinic, but what I (thought I) heard was something about stars from TV. Clearly I'm reading too many trashy magazines.
I just can't believe that even though I was there, playing a big part in the proceedings, listening again is so odd and I'm picking up all these things that just weren't said at all. It's a very bizarre, surreal experience!