Language documentation tools and methods: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 12:33, 30 May 2022

Revision as of 14:12, 12 October 2023

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=== Principles for recording ===

Since documentation of languages is often difficult, with many languages that linguists work with being endangered (they may not be spoken in the near future), it is recommended to record at the highest quality possible given the limitations of a recorder. For video, this means recording at HD resolution (1080p or 720p) or higher when possible, while for audio this means recording minimally in uncompressed PCM 44,100 samples per second, 16-bit resolution. Arguably, however, good recording techniques (isolation, microphone selection and usage, using a tripod to minimize blur) is more important than resolution. A microphone that gives a clear recording of a speaker telling a folktale (high signal/noise ratio) in MP3 format (perhaps via a phone) is better than an extremely noisy recording in WAV format where all that can be heard are cars going by. To ensure that good recordings can be obtained, linguists should practice with their recording devices as much as possible and compare the results to observe which techniques yield the best results.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Phonetic data analysis : an introduction to fieldwork and instrumental techniques|last=Ladefoged|first=Peter|date=2003|publisher=Blackwell Pub|isbn=978-0631232698|___location=Malden, MA|oclc=51818554}}</ref><ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite book|lastlast1=Chelliah|firstfirst1=Shobhana L.|last2=de Reuse|first2=Willem J.|date=2011|title=Handbook of Descriptive Linguistic Fieldwork|language=en-gb|doi=10.1007/978-90-481-9026-3|isbn=978-90-481-9025-6|s2cid=60322394 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=Understanding linguistic fieldwork.|author1=Meakins, Felicity |author2=Green, Jennifer |author3=Turpin, Myfany |year=2018|isbn=9781351330114|___location=London|oclc=1029352513}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|date=2011-11-24|editor-last=Thieberger|editor-first=Nicholas|title=The Oxford Handbook of Linguistic Fieldwork|url=http://www.oxfordhandbooks.com/view/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199571888.001.0001/oxfordhb-9780199571888|language=en-US|doi=10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199571888.001.0001|isbn=9780191744112|publisher=Oxford University Press}}</ref>

=== Workflows ===

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Directional microphones should be used in most cases, in order to isolate a speaker's voice from other potential noise sources. However, omnidirectional microphones may be preferred in situations involving larger numbers of speakers arrayed in a relatively large space. Among directional microphones, [[Cardioid microphone|cardioid]] microphones are suitable for most applications, however in some cases a [[hypercardioid]] ("shotgun") microphone may be preferred.

Good quality headset microphones are comparatively expensive, but can produce recordings of extremely high quality in controlled situations.<ref>{{Cite journal|lastlast1=Švec|firstfirst1=Jan G.|last2=Granqvist|first2=Svante|date=2010-11-01|title=Guidelines for Selecting Microphones for Human Voice Production Research|url=https://ajslp.pubs.asha.org/article.aspx?articleid=1767774|journal=American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology|language=en|volume=19|issue=4|pages=356–368|doi=10.1044/1058-0360(2010/09-0091)|pmid=20601621|issn=1058-0360}}</ref> [[Lavalier microphone|Lavalier]] or "lapel" microphones may be used in some situations, however, depending on the microphone they can produce recordings which are inferior to a headset microphone for phonetic analysis, and are subject to some of the same concerns that headset microphones are in terms of restriction of a recording to a single speaker - while other speakers may be audible on the recording, they will be backgrounded in relation to the speaker wearing the lavalier microphone.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Brixen|first=Eddy|date=1996-05-01|title=Spectral Degradation of Speech Captured by Miniature Microphones Mounted on Persons' Heads and Chests|url=http://www.aes.org/e-lib/browse.cfm?elib=7495|journal=Audio Engineering Society Convention 100|language=en}}</ref>

Some good quality microphones used for film-making and interviews include the [http://www.rode.com/microphones/video Røde VideoMic shotgun and the Røde lavalier series], [http://www.shure.com/americas/products/microphones/beta/beta-53-headworn-microphone Shure headworn mics] and [http://www.shure.com/americas/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&keyword=lavalier#keyword=lavalier&category_1=Microphones Shure lavaliers]. Depending on the recorder and microphone, additional [[Audio and video interfaces and connectors|cables]] (XLR, stereo/mono converter or a [https://www.amazon.com/Rode-SC3-3-5mm-TRRS-Adaptor/dp/B00L6C8PNU TRRS to TRS adapter]) will be necessary.