What is required to record a language sample for analysis?

• A. Video or audio recorded
• B. Only a written transcript
• C. Observation without recording
• D. Audio recording only, no video

Answer: (A)

Recording the language sample provides a permanent, analyzable record of how language is actually used in context. When you have a video or audio recording, you can examine not only what was said but also how it was said—the timing, rhythm, intonation, and, if video is available, facial expressions and gestures that influence meaning and interaction. A written transcript alone misses these acoustic and visual details, so it cannot stand in for the full sample. Observation without recording offers no durable data to revisit, and restricting to audio only, while useful, may miss nonverbal cues captured by video. Therefore, the requirement is to have a recording in some form—video or audio—to enable thorough analysis of the language sample.