What is an appropriate use of [sic] in transcripts?

Using [sic] in transcripts serves the purpose of indicating that an error in the original statement has been accurately reproduced. It signals to the reader that the wording or phrasing included in the transcript is exactly as it was spoken or written, despite the presence of a spelling, grammatical, or factual error. This practice maintains the integrity of the original statement by confirming that the transcriber has not altered the content, thereby preserving the speaker's intended meaning or error.

This choice aligns with best practices in transcription, as it ensures transparency and clarity regarding the fidelity of the recorded material. For instance, if an individual incorrectly used the word "their" in a sentence where "they're" would have been appropriate, a transcriber would include [sic] after "their" to denote that the mistake is part of the original quote.

In contrast, indicating a playback does not fall within the intended use of [sic]. Similarly, correcting grammatical errors would not align with the purpose of this notation, as the goal is to reflect exactness in transcriptions. Breaking up long sentences is also unrelated to the function of [sic], as this notation is not meant to guide sentence structure adjustments.