Language Change: Prescriptive vs Descriptive Attitudes

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Questions and Answers

Explain the difference between prescriptive and descriptive attitudes towards language change, using examples from the text.

Prescriptive attitudes towards language change desire to preserve and fix language, often judging language use as correct or incorrect. Examples include Jonathan Swift's proposal for a language academy and Bishop Lowth and Lindley Murray's grammatical prescriptivism. Descriptive attitudes describe language usage without judgment, focusing on language change and diversity. An example is Gene Hasen's set of metaphors describing people's anxieties about language use.

Describe the change in Samuel Johnson's attitude towards language as reflected in his dictionary, based on the text.

Samuel Johnson initially intended to fix the language with a prescriptive approach, similar to Jonathan Swift. However, as he worked on his dictionary, he realized that language is constantly evolving, likening it to a river that keeps on running. This shift in attitude reflects an acknowledgment of language change and the inability to stop it.

What was Jonathan Swift's proposal for language change, and why was it unsuccessful?

Jonathan Swift proposed the establishment of a language academy in 1712 in an attempt to preserve and fix the English language. However, his proposal was unsuccessful. His desire to fix the language aligns with prescriptive attitudes towards language change, but the academy was not realized.

Who were some key figures in 18th-century prescriptive attitudes towards language change, and what were their contributions?

Key figures in 18th-century prescriptivism included Bishop Lowth, who focused on grammatical prescriptivism in 1762, and Lindley Murray. They contributed to the codification of the English language and promoted the idea of fixing and preserving language usage. Signup and view all the answers

What does descriptivism aim to achieve, and how does it differ from prescriptivism in language change?

Descriptivism aims to describe language usage without judgment, focusing on language change and diversity. It seeks to understand why language is used in a particular way in a specific context. This approach differs from prescriptivism, which judges language use as correct or incorrect and seeks to preserve and fix language. Signup and view all the answers

What is the central difference between prescriptive and descriptive attitudes towards language change?

Prescriptivism aims to preserve and fix language, while descriptivism aims to describe language usage without judgment. Signup and view all the answers

Which 18th-century figure proposed the establishment of a language academy in 1712?

Jonathan Swift Signup and view all the answers

What realization did Samuel Johnson come to regarding language change as he worked on his dictionary?

Language is constantly evolving and cannot be fixed. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of descriptivism in relation to language usage?

To describe language usage without judgment. Signup and view all the answers

What did Gene Hasen propose to describe people's anxieties about language use?

A set of metaphors Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Attitudes Towards Language Change

Two contrasting attitudes towards language change: prescriptive and descriptive
Prescriptive attitude: aims to control and regulate language, prescribing what is correct and incorrect
Descriptive attitude: aims to observe and record language as it is used, without judgment

Samuel Johnson's Attitude Towards Language

Initially had a prescriptive attitude, aiming to fix the English language
As he worked on his dictionary, he realized that language is constantly changing and that it's impossible to fix it
Shifted towards a more descriptive attitude, acknowledging the natural evolution of language

Jonathan Swift's Proposal

Proposed the establishment of a language academy in 1712 to regulate language
Unsuccessful due to concerns about government interference with language

18th-Century Prescriptive Figures

Jonathan Swift: proposed a language academy to regulate language
Robert Lowth: emphasized the importance of grammar rules and language standards
Joseph Priestley: believed in the need for language authorities to regulate language

Descriptivism vs Prescriptivism

Descriptivism: aims to describe language as it is used, without judgment or prescription
Prescriptivism: aims to prescribe what is correct and incorrect in language

Key Realizations and Proposals

Samuel Johnson realized that language is constantly changing and cannot be fixed
Jonathan Swift proposed the establishment of a language academy in 1712
Gene Hasen proposed that people's anxieties about language use stem from insecurities about social identity

Primary Focus of Descriptivism

Observing and recording language as it is used, without judgment or prescription

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Description

Explore modern attitudes towards language change, focusing on prescriptive and descriptive viewpoints. Learn about the desire to preserve and fix language, as well as the historical context of prescriptivism.