Transcript Notation

Jefferson Transcript Notation includes the following symbols:

Symbol Name Use
[text] Brackets Indicates the start and end points of overlapping speech.
= Equal Sign Indicates the break and subsequent continuation of a single utterance.
(# of seconds) Timed Pause A number in parenthesis indicates the time, in seconds, of a pause in speech.
(.) Micropause A brief pause, usually less than .2 seconds.
. or Period or Down Arrow Indicates falling pitch or intonation.
? or Question Mark or Up Arrow Indicates rising pitch or intonation.
, Comma Indicates a temporary rise or fall in intonation.
- Hyphen Indicates an abrupt hault or interuption in utterance.
>text< Greater than/Less than symbols Indicates that the enclosed speech was delivered more rapidly than usual for the speaker.
<text> Less than/Greater than symbols Indicates that the enclosed speech was delivered more slowly than usual for the speaker.
Degree symbol Indicates whisper, reduced volume, or quiet speech.
ALL CAPS Capitalized text Indicates shouted or increased volume in speech.
underline Underlined speech Indicates the speaker is emphasizing or stressing the speech.
::: Colon or Colons Indicates prolongation of sound.
(hhh)   Audible exhalation.
or (.hhh) High Dot Audible inhalation.
(text) Parenthesis Speech which is unclear or in doubt in the transcript.
((italic text)) Double Parenthesis Annotation of non-verbal activity.

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Jefferson Transcipt Notation is described in G. Jefferson, Transcript Notation, in J. Heritage (eds),
Structures of Social Interaction, New York: Cambridge University Press, 1984.