Janine, Cape Town
Our Listener – Janine, Cape Town
“Finding purpose in quiet work, one story at a time.“
Janine describes herself as an introvert who values calm, steady work and the comfort of home, yet her journey into transcription began with a very practical need. She wanted to bring in extra income for her household and turned to the internet in search of something she could do on her own terms. That search led her to transcription, and eventually to Way With Words. She did not know then that this work, which started as a necessity, would become something that offered her a sense of pride, connection and purpose.
When she speaks about those early days, she remembers not being sure she would make it through the tests. The uncertainty lingered until she passed, and the relief that followed was matched only by the feeling of accomplishment. For someone who values quiet spaces, she had found a role that allowed her to contribute meaningfully without stepping outside of who she naturally is. Two years later, she still calls herself a proud Way With Wordian.
Janine says she is happiest in her own company, but she also treasures time with the people closest to her. Her family and friends form the circle she returns to after long stretches of focused work. That balance suits her. Transcription gives her the solitude she enjoys, and her personal life fills the quieter moments with warmth and connection. It is a rhythm that fits her nature: steady, thoughtful, grounded.
Her understanding of human transcription comes from lived experience. She has seen firsthand why people matter in this type of work. Accuracy is not simply a standard to reach, but a responsibility she feels towards the people whose voices she hears. She knows that automated tools, while useful, often fail to catch the nuance or emotion in a recording. They do not pause to reconsider a line or correct an error. They cannot show care. Humans, she says, work differently. They listen. They check. They try to do the job well because someone else’s story deserves that level of attention. For her, that is what sets the work apart.
Some of the recordings she has transcribed have stayed with her long after she finished the job. These include accounts from people living with illnesses, disabilities or injuries. She has learned that behind many voices is a story that is not easy to carry. Sometimes she stops typing altogether and just listens. The pause is not part of the job, but part of being human. She feels the sadness in their words, the weight of what they face, and at times the familiarity of struggles that echo her own life or those around her.
What stays with her most is their perseverance. Even in recordings where a person’s situation is difficult, she hears determination woven through their words. Those moments remind her that transcription is more than converting speech into text. It is witnessing a small part of someone’s lived reality. It is understanding that accuracy is not only technical, but also a way of honouring what someone has shared.
Janine believes that a great transcriber is someone who listens carefully, types or edits with precision, and treats punctuation as a tool for clarity. Reliability matters too. Meeting deadlines is not only a practical requirement but also part of showing respect for the workflow and the people depending on it. To her, these qualities form the backbone of good transcription: steady attention, commitment to accuracy and consistency.
Her reflections return often to gratitude. The work has become more than a source of income. It is an opportunity she is thankful for, one that changed the way she sees her own capabilities. She did not expect to find herself in this space, yet she has built skill, confidence and a sense of belonging.
The quiet nature of transcription suits her, but what she values most is the knowledge that she contributes to something larger than herself. Every transcript she completes becomes part of someone else’s understanding, research or decision making. Her role may not be visible, but it matters, and she carries that with a quiet pride.
Through her time with Way With Words, Janine has found that meaningful work does not always announce itself loudly. Sometimes it appears in the form of a new skill, a passed test, or a steady routine built over many months. Sometimes it is found in the stories of strangers whose courage reminds her of the resilience people carry. And sometimes it is simply the satisfaction of doing a job well in a way that feels true to who she is. For Janine, transcription has been all of these things. A way to support her household, a space where her strengths fit naturally, and a place where she continues to learn from the voices she encounters.
Our Company – Way With Words
Way With Words provides English-language transcription and speech data services for clients worldwide. With transcribers and editors based across the globe, the company supports a wide range of research, business and media needs.