Prescriptivism vs. Descriptivism
Summary
TLDRThis video explores the distinction between prescriptivism and descriptivism in linguistics. Prescriptivism is the belief in fixed rules for language use, often taught in schools. In contrast, descriptivism, the approach favored by linguists, involves objectively describing how language is actually used without judgment. The video emphasizes the importance of setting aside personal biases to study language objectively.
Takeaways
- 📚 The video discusses the fundamental concepts of prescriptivism and descriptivism in linguistics.
- 🏫 Prescriptivism is the belief in right and wrong ways to use language, often taught in language classes.
- 🚫 Prescriptivists might discourage certain language structures, like split infinitives or starting sentences with conjunctions.
- 🗣️ Prescriptivism extends beyond education, influencing our personal beliefs about language use.
- 🔍 Linguistics, on the other hand, adopts a descriptivist approach, focusing on describing how language is actually used.
- 🌐 Descriptivists are interested in the context and patterns of language use rather than prescribing rules.
- 🚫 A descriptivist would not criticize a double negative; instead, they would analyze its usage.
- 🌈 Descriptivism acknowledges the validity and complexity of all languages and dialects.
- 🧐 It's important to set aside personal prejudices when performing linguistic analysis for objectivity.
- 👋 The video concludes by emphasizing the importance of understanding the difference between prescriptivism and descriptivism.
Q & A
What is the main topic of the video?
-The main topic of the video is the difference between prescriptivism and descriptivism in the study of language.
What is prescriptivism in language use?
-Prescriptivism is the idea that there are rights and wrongs associated with language use, whether in terms of speaking or writing, often enforced through grammatical rules.
Can you provide examples of prescriptive rules mentioned in the video?
-Examples of prescriptive rules include not splitting an infinitive, not starting a sentence with a conjunction, and not ending a sentence with a preposition.
How does prescriptivism manifest in educational systems?
-In educational systems, prescriptivism is seen when students receive feedback or corrections on their language use, such as pronunciation or grammar, based on prescriptive standards.
What is descriptivism in linguistics?
-Descriptivism in linguistics is the approach of describing how language is actually used without assigning rights or wrongs to it, focusing on observation and analysis.
How does a descriptivist view the use of double negatives?
-A descriptivist would view the use of double negatives as an interesting linguistic feature to be studied and analyzed, rather than something to be corrected.
What does descriptivism acknowledge about language varieties?
-Descriptivism acknowledges that every language and language variety has the right to exist, demonstrating their own uniquenesses and complexities, and all exist on a level playing field.
Why is it important to distinguish between prescriptivism and descriptivism in linguistics?
-It is important to distinguish between the two because linguistics aims for an objective analysis of language, and descriptivism allows for this by focusing on how language is used rather than prescribing how it should be used.
What is the role of personal attitudes and beliefs in language use according to the video?
-According to the video, personal attitudes and beliefs about language use are natural but should be set aside when performing linguistic analysis to ensure a more objective approach.
How does the video suggest we approach language study?
-The video suggests approaching language study by understanding the concepts of prescriptivism and descriptivism, and embracing a descriptive approach to better understand language use.
What is the significance of the video's message for language learners?
-The significance of the video's message for language learners is that it encourages them to understand and appreciate the diversity and complexity of language use, rather than focusing solely on prescriptive rules.
Outlines
📚 Introduction to Prescriptivism and Descriptivism
This paragraph introduces the concepts of prescriptivism and descriptivism in linguistics. It emphasizes the importance of understanding these concepts for students new to linguistics. The paragraph explains that prescriptivism is the belief in the correctness or incorrectness of language use, often taught in language classes with rules like not splitting infinitives or ending sentences with prepositions. It contrasts this with descriptivism, which is the approach that linguists take, focusing on describing how language is actually used without assigning right or wrong. The paragraph also touches on the natural human tendency to have prescriptive attitudes and the importance of setting these aside in linguistic analysis for a more objective study of language.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Prescriptivism
💡Descriptivism
💡Linguistics
💡Language Use
💡Prescriptive Rules
💡Double Negative
💡Language Variety
💡Educational System
💡Pronunciation
💡Objectivity
💡Linguistic Analysis
Highlights
Introduction to the concepts of prescriptivism and descriptivism in linguistics.
The importance of understanding these concepts for students of linguistics.
Defining prescriptivism as the belief in right and wrong language use.
Examples of prescriptive rules such as not splitting infinitives or starting sentences with conjunctions.
The role of prescriptivism in educational settings and feedback from instructors.
The natural human tendency to have prescriptive attitudes towards language.
Introducing descriptivism as the linguistic approach that describes language use without judgment.
Descriptive linguists focus on analyzing language as it is used rather than prescribing how it should be used.
The contrast between prescriptivist and descriptive views on double negatives.
Descriptive approach aims to understand language patterns and usage contexts.
Descriptivism acknowledges the validity and uniqueness of all languages and dialects.
The importance of setting aside personal prejudices for objective linguistic analysis.
The necessity to differentiate between personal beliefs and scientific linguistic study.
The value of a descriptive approach in ensuring a fair and unbiased study of language.
Encouragement for students to embrace a descriptive perspective in linguistics.
The significance of this video for anyone new to linguistics or considering studying it.
Closing remarks and thanks for watching the video.
Transcripts
hello everyone welcome thanks for
joining me
in this video i will be discussing the
difference between prescriptivism
and descriptivism in the study of
language in many ways this is the most
important video i have on my channel
because it is often the first concept
that students learn
upon entering an introductory
linguistics classroom
now let's talk about the more familiar
concept here and that is prescriptivism
for most of you
now prescriptivism is the idea that
there are rights
and wrongs associated with language use
whether in terms of speaking or in
writing
so think about your own history as a
student who maybe took an english class
or a foreign language class or a
composition or any kind of writing class
in those classes you very likely
received feedback
spoken or written from your instructor
that say things like
don't split an infinitive don't start a
sentence with a conjunction don't end a
sentence with a preposition
these types of grammatical rules quote
unquote that make for
proper english so you
can actually look at a language class in
particular where you may have even been
corrected or criticized for pronouncing
a certain word or
phrase in that language in the
instructor's view
incorrectly this is again prescriptivism
at work
now we don't need to just talk about
prescriptive attitudes as they exist
in the educational system because indeed
as human beings
we all have attitudes and beliefs about
how
language should be used whether in terms
of speaking or writing this is a
perfectly natural thing
but it is important to understand that
this is not
what linguistics is about linguistics is
about
descriptivism so when linguists say that
they are descriptivists what they mean
is that they just describe
how language is used that there are no
rights and wrongs associated with
language use
there is only what people do with
language
so whereas a prescriptivist might say
something like
you should not use a double negative in
speaking or in writing and a double
negative is something like
i ain't seen nothing well a descriptive
person like a linguist might say well
that's interesting they used
a double negative let's see if we can
isolate the context
in which this construction is most
likely to be used or
let's see if we can identify which
speakers are most likely to use
this construction so it's a much more
descriptive approach they just want to
figure out what's
going on rather than prescribe how
language should be used so at its core
descriptivism acknowledges the right of
every language and language variety to
exist that all languages and dialects
they demonstrate their own uniquenesses
and complexities and they
all therefore exist on a level playing
field
again it is perfectly natural for all of
us as human beings to
harbor these deep held attitudes and
beliefs
maybe things about language that just
rub us the wrong way but it is really
important that we put these prejudices
aside when we are performing linguistic
analysis
or just kind of working in the
linguistics classroom because
in this way we can help ensure a more
objective approach to the study of
language
all right thank you so much for watching
this very brief video it is short but it
is very important to understand
why linguists are descriptive and not
prescriptive
in the meantime i thank you so much for
watching stay safe and be well
and i'll see you soon take care
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