Rethinking the prescriptivist–descriptivist dyad: motives and methods in two eighteenth-century grammars: Revising the prescriptivist–descriptivist dyad. (5th August 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wilton, David
• Is Part Of: English today. Volume 30:Part 3(2015:Sep.)
• Page Start: 38
• Page End: 47
• Publication Date: 2014-08-05
• Subjects: English language -- Periodicals; 420.5
• DOI: 10.1017/S026607841400025X
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0266-0784

Abstract

Abstract : Grammars, dictionaries, usage manuals and other linguistic references are traditionally categorized along a spectrum running from prescriptivist to descriptivist, yet for years problems with this system of categorization have been noted. Forty years ago Geoffrey Pullum cautioned against confusing methodology and motives when applying the 'descriptive' or 'prescriptive' labels (1974: 77–78). A few years later Emma Vorlat suggested a middle ground, that grammars codify the language along a continuum of prescriptive–normative–descriptive, that is codification based on arbitrary rules – usage by social elites – description without value judgment (1979: 129). Ingrid Tieken-Boon van Ostade noted that Vorlat's categories are not discrete, with eighteenth-century grammars increasingly basing prescriptions on descriptions of actual usage as the century progressed (2000: 877). María Rodríguez-Gil further noted that prescriptive grammars often base their advice on description of the language of social elites (2003: 190). Joan Beal characterized Robert Lowth's eighteenth-century grammars as both 'normative' and 'descriptive' (2004: 106). And Robin Straaijer has noted that 'it seems useful to view prescriptivism and descriptivism as being independent from one another rather than diametrical opposites' (2009: 67–68). Yet, perhaps because of the baggage carried by the two terms, to date no one has made the leap to conclude that the two terms address entirely different domains altogether – Straaijer approached the brink but did not leap. Prescriptivism and descriptivism do not exist along the same continuum.