Prescriptivism and Descriptivism in English Language
Summary
TLDRThe 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
🗣️ 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.
📚 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.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡GIF
💡Prescriptive Language
💡Descriptive Language
💡Linguists
💡Macquarie Dictionary
💡Prejudice
💡Aboriginal English
💡David Crystal
💡Text Speak
💡Australian Slang
💡Meta Linguistic Tools
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
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