FAQ article
Why is Mandarin-English mixed transcription difficult?
The problem is not simply whether English should be kept. Mixed-language transcription requires bilingual judgment, because ASR and unqualified transcribers can turn English terms into unrelated Chinese.
Short answer
Mixed-language transcription is difficult because the transcriber must know when a sound is English, an acronym, a brand name, a product name, or a Chinese near-homophone. English terms should usually remain in English when that is how speakers use them.
Common problem
Raw ASR may split English terms incorrectly, confuse abbreviations, or turn English into absurd Chinese near-sounds. This creates avoidable ambiguity for analysts and project teams.
Recommended handling
Confirm a terminology preference before recurring work begins. Some clients prefer original English terms, some prefer a Chinese explanation on first mention, and some require a glossary for recurring projects. For a fuller discussion of language scope and mixed-English formatting, see the buyer's guide: language scope.
How FingerPower handles it
FingerPower treats mixed English as a bilingual recognition problem first, then a formatting problem. Confirmed terminology and formatting preferences can carry across long-term projects.
Next steps
Review service scope
See how mixed-language, terminology-heavy, speaker/number-critical, and confidential offline projects are scoped.
See services →Compare a real sample
Anonymized comparisons showing ASR error patterns, human correction, and offline workflow differences.
See samples →Start a project conversation
Share language mix, terminology density, speaker/number requirements, turnaround, and confidentiality needs.
Contact FingerPower →Free resource
Mandarin transcription buyer's checklist
A short PDF covering NDA terms, file handling, terminology preferences, and turnaround expectations — written for first-time and recurring buyers.
We will send it from service@fingerpower.com after a short check. The PDF is currently being finalized.
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