Linguistic prescriptivism is an approach to language that focuses on establishing and enforcing rules about how language should be used, often based on historical or formal standards. It contrasts with descriptivism, which observes and records language as it is naturally used by speakers, without making judgments about correctness.

Linguistic Prescriptivism

Linguistic prescriptivism

approach to language

establishing and enforcing rules

how language should be used

Historical standards

formal standards

Descriptivism in linguistics and philosophy of language is the view that the meaning of words and sentences is determined by their actual use in language, rather than by any inherent or prescribed rules. It emphasizes the importance of observing and documenting how language is used in real-life contexts, advocating for a more flexible and inclusive approach to understanding language.

descriptivism

Observing language

Recording language

naturally used by speakers

judgments about correctness

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