Prescriptivism and Descriptivism in English Language

Summary

The debate over the pronunciation of 'gif' highlights the broader linguistic discussion between prescriptivism and descriptivism. While prescriptivists advocate for a 'correct' way to use language, descriptivists emphasize understanding and adapting to how language is actually used. Linguists and dictionaries often align with descriptivism, updating to reflect real-world usage. The script discusses the importance of language as a tool for communication, advocating for acceptance of variation and change over strict rules.

Takeaways

• ?Üdd The debate over whether to say 'gif' or 'jif' is a common example of language variation and personal preference.
• ?Üda The argument that language should be understood rather than judged is a key principle of descriptivism in linguistics.
• 📝 Prescriptivism is an approach that dictates how language 'should' be used, often promoting a standard form of English.
• 📞 Descriptivism is a non-judgmental approach that focuses on how language is actually used in speech and writing.
• 📱 The majority of linguists and language authorities, including dictionaries, are descriptive, not prescriptive.
• 📰 The Macquarie Dictionary's update to the word 'misogyny' in 2012 is an example of how dictionaries can evolve to reflect actual language use.
• 📲 Historically, there has been prejudice against certain language varieties, such as Aboriginal English, leading to discrimination.
• 📳 Language varies with time and among speakers, and it's important to be accepting of these variations.
• 📴 The shift towards prescriptivism in areas like 'teen speak' and 'text speak' shows language is constantly evolving.
• 📵 Informal language and slang are becoming more normalized even in formal contexts, reflecting societal changes.
• 📶 Descriptive and prescriptive attitudes towards language can reveal underlying social and cultural beliefs.
• 📷 When writing or speaking, it's more important to use appropriate language rather than striving for an arbitrary 'correctness'.

Q & A

What is the debate surrounding the pronunciation of 'gif'?

The debate is whether to pronounce 'gif' with a hard 'g' sound as in 'gift' or a soft 'g' sound as in 'jiff'. Supporters of 'gif' argue for the hard 'g' because the acronym stands for 'graphics interchange format', while the 'jiff' camp follows the pronunciation of the format's inventor, Steve Wilhite.

What is the more rational argument regarding the pronunciation of 'gif'?

A more rational argument is that as long as the pronunciation is understood, it shouldn't matter how it is said. The focus should be on the communication of meaning rather than strict adherence to a particular pronunciation.

What is the difference between prescriptivism and descriptivism in language study?

Prescriptivism is an attitude that prescribes how language should be used, often promoting standard forms like Standard English. Descriptivism is a non-judgmental approach that focuses on how language is actually used in speech and writing, rather than trying to identify a 'correct' way.

Why is the distinction between prescriptivism and descriptivism important?

This distinction is important because it acknowledges that language is dynamic and changes over time. Descriptivists, including most linguists and dictionaries, adapt to these changes to reflect actual usage, which is crucial for effective communication.

How did the Macquarie Dictionary adapt to changing language use?

The Macquarie Dictionary updated its entry for the word 'misogyny' in 2012 to reflect a broader meaning that includes entrenched prejudice against women, not just hatred, to align with contemporary usage.

What is the impact of language prejudice on certain communities?

Language prejudice can lead to discrimination against people who speak differently, such as Aboriginal English speakers, who have been deemed inferior to European-heritage varieties, impacting areas like courts and hospitals.

Why is it beneficial to accept language variation?

Accepting language variation allows for a more inclusive and dynamic understanding of language. It acknowledges that language is influenced by speakers and evolves over time, rather than being dictated by a static set of rules.

How are new words and phrases created in modern society?

New words, phrases, and ways of speaking are created through the rapid evolution of technology, social media, and political discourse, reflecting the changing nature of communication.

What is the shift towards in the realm of teen speak and text speak?

There is a shift towards prescriptivism in teen speak and text speak, with new words and phrases being created as part of a rite of passage for young people in these evolving fields.

Why is it important not to label certain ways of speaking as 'wrong'?

Labeling certain ways of speaking as 'wrong' can be exclusionary and perpetuate prejudice. Instead, it's more constructive to describe these variations as non-standard uses, which provides a more nuanced understanding of language.

How can the concepts of prescriptivism and descriptivism be used as meta-linguistic tools?

These concepts can be used to analyze opinions about language, identify social and cultural contexts of texts, and inform our own writing and speaking to use appropriate language for different contexts.

Outlines

00:00

🗣️ The Great GIF Debate and Language Evolution

This paragraph discusses the ongoing debate over the pronunciation of 'GIF' and whether it should be 'gif' or 'jiff'. It introduces the concepts of prescriptivism and descriptivism in language use. Prescriptivists believe in a 'correct' way to use language, often promoting standard forms found in textbooks and official communications. Descriptivists, on the other hand, focus on how language is actually used in everyday communication. The paragraph emphasizes that language's purpose is to convey meaning, and as long as it achieves this, variations in pronunciation or usage should be accepted. It also touches on the importance of being descriptive rather than prescriptive, especially in academic and social contexts, and how language evolves with time and use.

05:01

📚 The Relevance of Descriptivism in Language Use

The second paragraph delves into the practical implications of descriptivism versus prescriptivism. It argues for the use of appropriate language over 'correct' language, suggesting that as long as communication is clear, minor deviations from standard language rules are acceptable. The paragraph also addresses the role of dictionaries in reflecting language evolution, using the example of the Macquarie Dictionary's update to the definition of 'misogyny'. It highlights the importance of understanding and accepting linguistic variations and the social implications of prescriptivist attitudes, such as discrimination against non-standard language varieties. The paragraph concludes by encouraging a descriptive approach to language analysis and use, emphasizing the dynamic nature of language and the importance of context in communication.

Keywords

💡GIF

GIF stands for Graphics Interchange Format, a format for image files that supports both animated and static images. The debate over whether to pronounce it with a hard 'G' ('gif') or a soft 'G' ('jif') is highlighted in the video to illustrate the broader point about language variation and the importance of understanding over strict adherence to pronunciation rules.

💡Prescriptive Language

Prescriptive language refers to the set of rules dictating how language should be used, often promoting a standard variety of English. The video discusses how prescriptivism can lead to discrimination against non-standard language varieties and argues for a more accepting and descriptive approach to language.

💡Descriptive Language

Descriptive language focuses on how language is actually used by speakers, rather than how it 'should' be used. The video emphasizes the importance of descriptive approaches in linguistics, which acknowledge and document language changes and variations.

💡Linguists

Linguists are scholars who study language and its structure, including its sounds, words, and grammar. The video mentions that most linguists adopt a descriptive approach, which is crucial for understanding language evolution and use.

💡Macquarie Dictionary

The Macquarie Dictionary is an Australian English dictionary that made a notable change in 2012 to reflect the actual usage of the word 'misogyny'. This example from the video illustrates how descriptive approaches can lead to updates in language resources.

💡Prejudice

Prejudice in the context of the video refers to the negative attitudes or discrimination against certain language varieties or ways of speaking. It is highlighted as a problem that can be mitigated by adopting a descriptive approach to language.

💡Aboriginal English

Aboriginal English refers to the varieties of English spoken by Aboriginal people in Australia. The video discusses how these varieties have been historically deemed inferior, leading to discrimination, which is a clear example of the negative impacts of prescriptivism.

💡David Crystal

David Crystal is a renowned linguist mentioned in the video who comments on the evolution of language, particularly in the context of youth language and technology. His views underscore the video's theme of language change and the need for acceptance.

💡Text Speak

Text speak refers to the abbreviated and informal language used in text messages and online communication. The video discusses the shift towards more informal language use and the resistance some people have to these changes.

💡Australian Slang

Australian slang refers to the informal words and phrases unique to Australian English. The video notes the increasing normalization of such slang, even in formal contexts, as part of the broader theme of language evolution.

💡Meta Linguistic Tools

Meta linguistic tools are concepts or frameworks used to analyze and discuss language. The video suggests using terms like 'descriptivism' and 'prescriptivism' as tools to analyze opinions about language and understand social and cultural contexts.

Highlights

Debate over whether to say 'gif' or 'jif' has been ongoing both online and offline.

Supporters of 'gif' argue that the 'G' in 'graphics' should be pronounced as in 'graphics'.

The 'jiff' camp claims that since the inventor pronounces it that way, it should be the standard.

A more practical view is that as long as the pronunciation is understood, it doesn't matter how it's said.

Language should primarily be descriptive, focusing on communication rather than enforcing a standard.

Prescriptivism is an attitude that prescribes how language should be used.

Descriptivism is a non-judgmental approach to language, focusing on how it is actually used.

Most linguists and dictionaries are descriptive, not prescriptive.

The Macquarie dictionary updated the word 'misogyny' in 2012 to reflect common usage.

Language prejudice can lead to discrimination against people who speak differently.

Language varies depending on who is speaking and changes over time.

Allowing people to define language use can be more beneficial than having a linguistic academy prescribe it.

Teen speak and text speak are areas where new words and phrases are being created.

The normalization of informal language is occurring even in formal contexts.

Describing language use is more valuable than making subjective judgments about it.

Descriptivism and prescriptivism can be useful tools for analyzing opinions about language.

Focusing on using appropriate language is more important than trying to use 'correct' language.

Language evolves, and dictionaries should be updated to reflect current usage.

Transcripts

ever since the inception of the format

we have been arguing with each other

whether we should say gif or Jif this

debate has raged both online and offline

but does it really matter on one side

supporters of gift claimed that because

the acronym stands for graphics

interchange format the G sound and

graphics should be maintained where the

jiff camp argue that because the

inventor of the format Steve will ID

says jiff so should we all however a far

more sane argument is that as long as

what someone says whether it be gif or

Jif is understood it shouldn't matter

how they say it as students of the

English language we should aim to

primarily take this descriptive approach

to studying language we identify and

describe what people are saying or

writing and the effects this has but we

don't then ascribe our own judgement

language exists to be a vessel for our

communication and so as long as it is

transferring meaning between its users

its serving its purpose there is no

correct way of speaking or writing

because there isn't really a good way of

determining what this correct way is so

what is prescriptivism and descriptive

isn't simply put prescriptivism is an

attitude that prescribes how language

should be and how you as its speaker

must use it a prescriptive esteem oast

often promotes standard english or a

similar variety this is the variety of

english you will find in most textbooks

government letters and notices and in

your English classroom descriptivism on

the other hand is a non-judgmental

approach to looking at language as

descriptivists we place more importance

on how English is actually being written

and spoken rather than trying to

identify a correct way the vast majority

of linguists dictionaries and other

English language authorities consider

themselves to be descriptive and not

prescriptive and this is a really

important distinction if the way that we

as English speakers use or spell a word

changes the dictionary will change too

in order to reflect this the Macquarie

dictionary made one such change in 2012

which entered the public spotlight the

word misogyny has been used for many

years to mean an entrenched prejudice

against women and not necessarily a

hatred of women as it says in the

dictionary so when Julia Gillard used

the word in our speech on the topic it

seemed to conflict with what it said in

the ditch

yet we all knew what she meant and so

the Macquarie updated their entry for

the word to better reflect how we

actually are using it that's all well

and good in the academic world but why

assistance distinction important outside

of a video about language throughout

history and still to this day prejudice

exists against people who speak

differently for example for much of the

20th century and to some extent still to

this day

Aboriginal English's have been deemed

substandard and inferior to varieties

used by people with European heritage

this has led to demonstrable

discrimination in places like courts and

hospitals where often the time and care

is not taken to actually interpret what

Aboriginal people mean when they speak

by saying that prescribing how a

language should be doesn't actually do

anything to improve its effect or

usefulness we can be far more accepting

of the fact that language varies

depending on who is speaking and that it

changes with time we have the option of

either allowing the people to define how

a language is used or allowing a

linguistic Academy like the Council for

german orthography in germany or the

french academy in france to prescribe

how we should speak for us so where can

we find relevant examples in today's

society we're seeing a shift to

pre-scripted attitudes in the realm of

teen speak and text speak with people

like David crystal saying that creating

new words and new ways of speaking is a

rite of passage for young people in the

rapidly evolving fields of Technology

social media or even politics these days

we are seeing new words and phrases and

even entire new ways of constructing

sentences being coined every day but not

everyone is accepting of this and plenty

of people still cringe when they hear a

hashtag used in regular speech we're

also experiencing a shift to the

normalization of informal language

Australian slang and hyper core isms

even in social in situational contexts

where traditionally we would use a more

formal register just how many times have

we heard the likes of Scott Morrison and

Malcolm Turnbull use the phrase fair

dinkum but when does this matter in

English language we should be careful

not to say that certain ways of speaking

or certain varieties of language are

inherently wrong and instead describe

that what makes them non-standard uses

of language this

description is far more interesting than

a subjective judgment of a particular

way of using English the terms

descriptivism and prescriptive ISM can

also be good meta linguistic tools when

we are analyzing opinions about language

look out for segments on the radio

television or even the opinion columns

of newspapers for discussions about

varieties of English people can identify

very strongly with certain varieties of

language so a prescriptive attitude can

often also indicate other beliefs this

can be important when identifying the

social and cultural context of a text we

can also employ this knowledge in our

own writing and speaking instead of

trying to use correct language we can

instead focus on using appropriate

language this doesn't mean though that

you can start spelling words however you

want and giving your essays a generous

sprinkling of commas and apostrophes

where they don't belong because these

will often get in the way of you being

easily and clearly understood but the

next time you're writing and you see a

red line under that word that you're 100

percent sure is correct you can be safe

in knowing that it's probably the

dictionary and not you that needs an

update

you