Prescriptivism vs. Descriptivism — What's the Difference?

Prescriptivism is an approach to language that focuses on rules and norms, establishing what is considered correct or incorrect in a given language. It's the governing principle behind grammar books, style guides, and standardized language tests. Descriptivism, on the other hand, is an approach that seeks to understand language as it is used in practice, without imposing any sort of value judgment about what is correct or incorrect.

Both prescriptivism and descriptivism serve important roles in the study and understanding of language. Prescriptivism helps to maintain a standard form of a language, providing a framework that can be taught and learned. This is particularly useful in educational settings and formal communications. Descriptivism offers a more flexible, realistic view of language, taking into account its evolution and variances across different communities and settings.

However, these two approaches often come into conflict. Prescriptivism is sometimes criticized for being overly rigid and for perpetuating language elitism. It can also be seen as resistant to language change and to the diversity of language use in different cultures or communities. Descriptivism is sometimes criticized for being too permissive, allowing for a breakdown in clear communication and the erosion of language standards.

In many ways, prescriptivism and descriptivism are two sides of the same coin, each providing valuable insights into the workings of language. A balanced view often incorporates elements of both: acknowledging the natural evolution of language as described by descriptivism, while also recognizing the value of some standardized rules as advocated by prescriptivism.