Let us understand about Descriptive and Prescriptive Linguistics:
There are two different ways of speaking in the language in areas that focus on language use. We can talk about these different forms of language as descriptive compared to the set.
What is Descriptive Linguistics?
The descriptive linguistic refers to something, a non-judgmental definition of grammar. It is a test of how language is actually used, and I write in speech.
Linguists who focus on descriptive grammar explore principles and patterns that emphasize the use of words, phrases, paragraphs, and sentences. Thus, “descriptive” adjectives are a bit misleading as descriptive grammar provides an analysis of grammar, not just its definition.
What is Prescriptive Linguistics?
The term prescriptive linguistic refers to a set of norms or rules governing how a language should or should not be used. Rather than describing the ways in which a language is actually used. Contrast with descriptive grammar also called normative grammar and prescriptivism.
A person who says how people should write or speak is called prescriptive linguistics/grammarian. In other words, descriptive languages ??do not advise, they describe the ways in which indigenous speakers use their language. Descriptive language is a language test.
Examples of Descriptive and Prescriptive Grammar
Now let us understand with the help of following examples on descriptive and prescriptive linguistic / grammar:
“I ain’t going nowhere”
Now, to a descriptive grammarian, there’s nothing wrong with the sentence because it’s being spoken by someone. Who is using the language to construct a phrase that has meaning for someone else who speaks the same language?
To a prescriptive grammarian, it contains the word “ain’t,” which strictly speaking is slang. So, although we will find “ain’t” in the dictionary, as the saying says, “Ain’t ain’t a word.” The sentence also contains a double negative (ain’t and nowhere) and mixes the atrocity.
Simply having the word “ain’t” in the dictionary is a further illustration of the difference between the two types of grammar. Descriptive grammar notes the word’s use in the language, pronunciation, meaning, but in prescriptive grammar. The use of “ain’t” is just wrong—especially in formal speaking or writing.
Another example – rules for the game of chess, which is comparable to the difference between constitutive rules, which determine how something works.
Another example stating – the rules of etiquette, the regulatory rules, which control behavior. If the former is violated, the thing cannot work, but if the latter are violated, the thing works.
Hope the above example is much clearer to define the difference between both.
Keep exploring EnglishBix to learn about different types of linguistics.