Understanding Prescriptivism in English Language

When studying English Language, you may come across the terms 'descriptivism' and 'prescriptivism'. This article will focus on prescriptivism, which dictates how language should be used.

Prescriptivism and descriptivism are two opposing perspectives on language, Pixabay

But what exactly does prescriptivism mean?

The Definition of Prescriptivism

Prescriptivism is the belief that one form of language is superior and should be followed, while others should be avoided. It enforces strict rules on language use, declaring certain words, phrases, and grammar as 'correct', and others as 'incorrect'.

Prescriptivism is commonly associated with Standard English (or the standard form of other languages) and is often favored by institutions promoting it.

Fun fact: Prescriptivism prescribes language usage.

Exploring the Meaning of Prescriptivism

Now, let's dive deeper into the concept of prescriptivism:

• Rules-Oriented: Prescriptivism focuses on establishing a 'right' and 'wrong' use of language, enforcing strict adherence to grammatical rules.
• Applied in Various Fields: It is most commonly used in education, publishing, style guides, and professional environments.
• Standardization: Prescriptivism only recognizes and enforces the use of the standard form of language.

Those who advocate for prescriptivism are known as having a prescriptivist attitude or simply referred to as prescriptivists. They prioritize how language should be used rather than how it is used in everyday communication.

In England, a linguistic prescriptivist would promote the use of Standard English and possibly Received Pronunciation (the accent associated with English home counties), which is considered the 'standard' form of the language.

Prescriptivism stands in contrast to descriptivism, which takes a non-judgmental, evidence-based approach to analyzing language use.

Examples of Prescriptivism

To better understand prescriptivism, let's look at some examples of how it is applied:

• Grammar: Prescriptivists may insist on using 'my friend and I met for coffee' instead of 'my friend and me went swimming' due to the grammatical correctness of the former.
• Vocabulary: The use of 'fewer than' vs 'less than' is another example where prescriptivists may compare the grammatical rules and conventions of both phrases to determine the more appropriate option.
• Double Negatives: Prescriptivists often criticize the use of double negatives as it goes against established grammatical rules.

Application of Prescriptivism

Prescriptivism is most commonly utilized in fields that require a standardized approach to language use. Some examples include:

• Education
• Publishing
• Style guides
• Newspapers and professional magazines

In these fields, there is a need for a 'correct' and consistent use of language.

Prescriptivism in A-Level English Language

When examining prescriptivism in the context of A-Level English Language, it's essential to consider its advantages and disadvantages as an approach to language.

Let's explore the pros and cons of prescriptivism below:

The Benefits of Prescriptivism

• Enforcing Rules: Prescriptivism is necessary in fields that require strict adherence to grammatical or linguistic regulations.
• Standardization: It establishes a consistent and standard form of language that is crucial in fields such as education and publishing.
• Useful for Language Learning: Prescriptivism can be beneficial for those learning a new language as it teaches them how language is used in daily life (descriptive approach) and how it should be used in various situations (prescriptive approach).
• Increases Awareness: Prescriptivism highlights the rules of a language, making learners more aware of proper usage.

The Limitations of Prescriptivism in Language Analysis

Prescriptivism has its advantages, but there are also several drawbacks to this approach:

• Excludes Sociological Factors: Prescriptivism fails to consider the social context in which language is used.
• Superficial Approach: Prescriptivists often prioritize established grammatical rules over the intended message within a given context.
• Overlooks the Role of Language: It overlooks the crucial role of language as a social and cultural phenomenon.

While prescriptivism has its merits, it is essential to acknowledge its limitations and explore alternative methods of studying language, like descriptivism.

The Importance of Descriptivism in Understanding Global Language Use

The approach of descriptivism, which focuses on analyzing different language varieties and dialects used in everyday communication, offers a more comprehensive understanding of language use worldwide compared to prescriptivism. While prescriptivism emphasizes enforcing linguistic correctness, it may not accurately represent the diverse languages spoken around the world.Prescriptivism, also referred to as linguistic prescriptivism, promotes the belief that one form of language is superior and should be upheld as the standard. This approach imposes rules on language use, labeling certain words, phrases, and grammar as "correct" or "incorrect." Supporters of prescriptivism, also known as prescriptivists, often prioritize dictating how language should be used.This approach is commonly applied in educational settings, publishing, style guides, and professional environments. It provides consistency in these fields and can be beneficial for language learners. However, prescriptivism has its limitations. It often disregards the historical and social contexts in which languages evolve, making its application superficial. Thus, it may not provide an accurate representation of language use worldwide compared to the more inclusive approach of descriptivism.The strict emphasis on linguistic correctness in prescriptivism has resulted in negative effects on language use. It fails to acknowledge the diversity of language varieties and their cultural significance. Moreover, it can be used to devalue non-standard forms of language, leading to damaging stereotypes. Additionally, prescriptivism often discourages the use of slang and colloquialisms, limiting the expressive capabilities of language.In conclusion, prescriptivism and descriptivism offer conflicting perspectives on language use. However, it is important to recognize the value of both approaches and their impact on language diversity and evolution.