Include timestamps and audio link in a PT chapter?

Question

We are doing oral Bible translation, yet bringing the audio transcriptions and back-translations into Paratext for the final checks and consulting. Since the audio is the focus, we are searching for ways to include the audio timestamps in the chapter (preferably as two columns at the end of a chapter).
As changes are made to the audio, the timestamps will need to be adjusted. This can be done in a subtitle editor, then the edited timestamps could be pasted back into Paratext. We would like to find a way to have all the timestamp data stored within the chapter.

Is it possible, in the Markdown format, to paste in a two-column data table (comma-separated or (preferably) tab-separated), which can then be copied out of Paratext and pasted back into a spreadsheet in the same format?

I have looked for a category of formatting that could handle this within Paratext, but have so far been unsuccessful. The timestamps (here formatted in seconds) come out of Paratext (Unformatted View) simply separated by spaces, e.g.:
0.001000 10.106000 10.131000 43.719000 43.744000 81.418000 81.[Phone Removed]

Thanks for your thoughts,
anon765744

Answer 1

I was thinking that the timestamps wouldn’t be necessary if you were using Transcriber since it would manage the audio breaks in itself and just export the transcription to Paratext, but maybe I’m not understanding what you’re trying to do.

Sorry, I don’t have a good solution, then.

Comments

Thanks for your thoughts, @anon291708 .

What I’m envisioning is an easy way to export the text and timestamps from Paratext, so that during the consultant review and consultant check, the audio could be played back in a media player, with the text (transcription and/or back translation) appearing as subtitles, verse by verse.

Some apps (e.g. Youversion, Bible app builder) have this timestamp feature built in, so that each verse is highlighted as the audio is played.

Perhaps it’s too much to dream that Paratext might have such audio playback features someday. That would provide some really cool benefits to the review process!

anon765744

Answer 2

Maybe the SIL Transcriber application would be a good thing to use? It supports exporting to a Paratext project.

Comments

Thanks for the suggestion, @anon291708 . I hadn’t examined SIL Transcriber before.

It looks like SIL Transcriber is great for transcribing, but is not designed at all for marking timestamps, verse breaks, etc., in the way that we are using them. From the documentation, I gather that timestamps are used to mark isolated problem areas, and even then, the timestamps aren’t necessarily exported with the transcription, even if exporting to ELAN.

I’m still looking for a workable solution. I’m thinking of just linking to external folder (e.g. Google drive) that would contain the audio and timestamp data (i.e. in spreadsheet form). Any other thoughts, to pull all these components together under one roof?

anon765744