Mandarin Transcription Expert

$20–30/hr

rate as listed

Workload: ~15h/week
Engagement: Project-based
Location: Worldwide
Field: Languages

micro1 is contracting native Mandarin speakers to produce verbatim transcriptions of Mandarin and English audio, with tagging and contextual annotation, for use in AI speech training data. Work is remote and project-based, with observed rates of $20–30/hr.

What the work involves

You receive audio samples — some clean, some recorded in noisy rooms, over phone lines, or with overlapping speakers — and produce verbatim transcriptions in Mandarin, English, or both when a recording code-switches. Verbatim means what was actually said: fillers, false starts, repetitions, regional pronunciations, and self-corrections stay in unless the guidelines say otherwise. On top of the raw text you apply the project's tagging conventions — speaker labels, inaudible and crosstalk markers, non-speech events, timestamps at specified intervals — and add contextual notes when a passage is genuinely ambiguous rather than silently guessing.

A second part of the job is quality control: reviewing and correcting your own transcripts and, on some batches, passing over work produced by others or by an ASR system. Expect to flag recurring guideline gaps to coordinators instead of resolving them differently on each file. Consistency across a batch matters more to the downstream model than any single elegant judgement call.

What the screen looks for

micro1's screening is AI-led and short. It probes native-level Mandarin listening — including accented and dialect-influenced Putonghua — your handling of Simplified versus Traditional output, character and punctuation conventions, and how you decide between `[inaudible]`, a best guess, and an annotator note. Expect follow-ups that push on specific conventions rather than accepting a general claim of accuracy. Prior AI work is not required; demonstrable transcription discipline is.

Logistics

Fully remote, contractor engagement, paid hourly against tracked or delivered work
Largely asynchronous: batches arrive with deadlines, not fixed shift hours
Volume fluctuates by project phase; treat it as part-time and variable unless told otherwise
You supply your own computer, reliable internet, and good headphones; a foot pedal or transcription editor helps but is not mandated

What they look for

Native or near-native Mandarin fluency with strong accented-speech listening comprehension
Professional transcription experience, including verbatim Mandarin audio
Working English proficiency for bilingual and code-switched recordings
Disciplined adherence to written style and tagging guidelines
Self-managed remote delivery against batch deadlines
Familiarity with transcription tools, timestamping, and audio editors

Before you apply

Would you pass this screen?

Drawn from what this listing actually requires. Answered in your browser — nothing is sent to us, and we do not store your answers.

Are you a native or near-native Mandarin speaker able to understand accented Putonghua by ear?
Mandarin fluency · required
Have you completed paid or professional transcription work involving Mandarin audio?
Transcription experience · required
Can you transcribe spoken English accurately, including in code-switched recordings?
English proficiency · preferred
Do you have quality headphones, a computer, and a reliable internet connection in a quiet workspace?
Equipment · required
Are you able to work as an independent contractor on a remote, project-based engagement?
Contractor status · required
Have you used transcription software or platforms with timestamping and variable playback speed?
Tooling familiarity · preferred

0 of 6 answered

Included with this listing

Interview prep — 10 questions

Matched to what this platform's screening actually measures. Answer each out loud in 60–90 seconds: claim → concrete example → implication.

What it tests: Whether your transcription experience is real production work with conventions attached, or occasional informal note-taking.
A strong answer: Name the content type (interviews, call-centre audio, broadcast, medical dictation), rough hours or files per week, the style guide or client conventions you followed, and the accuracy threshold you were held to.
Where people lose it: Saying 'I'm a native speaker so transcription is easy' — fluency without a stated convention set reads as untested, and follow-ups will ask which guide you used.

Summary, eligibility guidance and screening preparation are prepared by Sidequest from the platform's posting. Check the source listing before applying.