Prescriptive Linguistics
* Focus: Dictates how language *should* be used. It sets rules and standards for "correct" grammar, pronunciation, and usage.
* Goal: To preserve the purity and clarity of language, often based on traditional or historical norms.
* Examples:
* "Don't end a sentence with a preposition."
* "You should use 'who' for people and 'that' for things."
* "It's 'I' before 'e' except after 'c'."
Descriptive Linguistics
* Focus: Observes and analyzes how language is *actually* used. It documents language structures, patterns, and variations without judgment.
* Goal: To understand and explain the complexities of language as it is spoken and written.
* Examples:
* Analyzing the different dialects of a language and their grammatical structures.
* Studying the evolution of language over time.
* Understanding the role of context and social factors in language use.
Key Differences:
| Feature | Prescriptive Linguistics | Descriptive Linguistics |
|------------------|---------------------------|--------------------------|
| Focus | How language *should* be used | How language is *actually* used |
| Goal | To set standards of "correctness" | To understand and explain language |
| Approach | Rule-based and judgmental | Objective and observational |
| Attitude | Authoritative and prescriptive | Analytical and descriptive |
Think of it this way:
* Prescriptive linguistics is like a grammar teacher telling you how to write correctly.
* Descriptive linguistics is like a linguist studying how people naturally speak and write, even if they don't follow "the rules."
In Summary:
Prescriptive linguistics focuses on imposing rules, while descriptive linguistics focuses on understanding and describing language as it naturally exists.