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Grammar Wars

The controversies entailing descriptivism and prescriptivism seem to make grammar

enthusiasts pick sides. Descriptivism and prescriptivism are two distinct approaches to linguistic

norms and grammar. An examination of some etymologies and standard rules in the usage of

English is necessary. These word regulations and histories indicate why there is a need for

establishing or disregarding stability in language standards. Different standard rules and

etymologies help to see how the two aspects contrast. Descriptivism often tends to object the

aesthetic preferences in language, whereas prescriptivism insists on adherence to the language

usage rules. How the two approaches get taught creates a great concern in grammar usage since

they are highly contrasting. While grammarians focus on the aspects of the two approaches,

descriptivism and prescriptivism should not be a considerable concern in English usage.

Prescriptivism explains how language should get used. The particular parts of the

language that prescriptivism involves are grammar, spelling, syntax, vocabulary, and

pronunciation. Prescriptivism suggests that there are wrong and right ways of using language. It

believes that books should highlight how an individual can utilize language. This approach

emphasizes the need for one established set of rules. These rules should get adhered to by

linguistic and literature users. Prescriptivism holds the notion that there should be one recognized
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language all around the world. Some of the texts that greatly aided by prescriptivism include

writing handbooks, dictionaries, usage, and style guides.

Prescriptivism is crucial to the modern citizen since it focuses on standardizing language

for developing a universal means of approach in communicating. It provides practical guidelines

for current language user citizens on how to know inappropriate usage of language in particular

contexts. Prescriptivism enables modern citizens to recognize that there are instances where

language can get inappropriately used.

On the other hand, descriptivism describes how language gets used by individuals

(Schlinger, Henry). Descriptivism is a permissive and indulgent methodology of language that

focuses on the actual language written and spoken. Descriptivism is an indulgent approach that

analyses how writers and speakers use language. It is directly different from prescriptive. Unlike

prescriptivism, there is no wrong or right way to use the linguistic form in descriptivism.

Besides, it lacks no judgment and does not attempt to provide the users of a language to write or

speak correctly descriptivism merely records, analyze, or observe language usage (Stout,

Dietrich, et al.).

Descriptivism, unlike prescriptivism, minimizes bias in language for modern citizens. It

appreciates that there the linguistic bias should get viewed just as it is. Descriptivism entails that

language belongs to modern citizens. It encourages modern citizens to understand that breaking

the language is part of making progress. Descriptivism implies that modern citizens should

understand that content of a particular language is more important than its form. It regards that

an individual’s linguistic competence cannot get weighed by the knowledge they have on

grammar solely.
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Descriptivism and prescriptivism have brought forth controversies in the language use in

English. The English language, for instance, has some standardized rules that showcase these

debates in descriptivism and prescriptivism. Some of these standardized rules are grammar rules

and punctuation rules. An example of the punctuation rule entails the usage of the comma,

whereas the grammar rule example is the use of the word hanged versus hung.

The logical use of the oxford comma as a punctuation mark has drawn in several debates

in the United States of America. The lack of the oxford comma in a sentence with listings has

resulted in controversies arising. For instance, the overtime dispute in Maine in 2014 resulted in

a financial disagreement due to a sentence lacking the oxford comma(Victor, 4). The employees

who were dairy truck drivers sued the employer for overtime wages he failed to pay. The

company’s law gave exemptions for overtime payments listing down the situations. Victor

denotes that the sentence entailed, “The canning, processing, preserving, freezing, drying,

marketing, storing, packing for shipment or distribution of…” (4). The drivers argued that

exemption of the oxford comma meant that the company exempted the distribution service, thus

winning the war.

The Maine overtime dispute explains why the standard rules of punctuation are

necessary. The example supports prescriptivism in that it emphasizes the need to follow

guidelines of standard rules. Exempting the said guidelines could lead to a different meaning and

interpretation of words. It shows that standardization of language in grammar can develop a

universal means of communication.

On the other hand, the exemption or use of commas in a sentence does not affect it. For

instance, the use of an oxford comma in the following states is not necessary. My science teacher
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was rigorous, and he insisted on early assignment submission. The use of the comma in this

sentence can be removed and still make the same meaning. Although the grammar rules insist on

the sentence having a comma to separate it, the content is still the same. Descriptivism is useful

in this case as it entails that the content of language is better than the form. Adding a comma

makes the sentence grammatically correct but doesn't change the meaning. Descriptivism

supports that standards in the use of language are not essential as long as the content gets

conceptualized and understood.

The use of the words ‘hanged’ and ‘hung’ creates controversies for English language

speakers. Although the terms do not develop more significant discussions like other grammar

rules, it can still give rise to disputes while using. Arguments can come up on where to use the

two words. Individuals can argue on what situation requires ‘hung’ and which sentence requires

‘hanged.’ Both terms could lead to controversies are they are the past tense of the word 'hang.'

However, the words 'hung' and 'hanged' can get utilized as past tenses in different reference

scenarios. The standard rule of using the past tense of 'hang' is 'hung,' and it can be applicable in

almost all cases. 'Hanged' can get utilized as a past tense, referring to an individual getting

suspended with a rope to death.

Using the standard rule of integrating these words in a sentence could barely make a

difference according to descriptivism. The approach of prescriptivism, however, supports using

the right form of the term for different contexts. The correct form of the word depending on the

context, would make one escape criticisms from individuals who have strong perceptions of the

two words. Descriptivism, on the other hand, would advocate using either of the terms without

following rules that are rigid to the individual. It indicates that the distinction between the two
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words is not a crucial one. Descriptivism supports using either word since the concepts' meaning

remains the same.

Etymologies, just like standard rules, showcase some of the controversies that arise in

descriptivism and prescriptivism. Etymologies refer to the study of the origin of works and how

their ways vary throughout history. Etymologies often exhibit a semantic change in language

use. Examples of etymology words that cause controversies are the word silly and etymology.

The etymology for the word silly is seely that originated from west Germanic meaning

deserving of pity. The Old English "gesælig" meant "happy, fortuitous, prosperous." Concerning

semantic change, the definition of "silly" moved from "happy" to "blessed" to "pious" to

"innocent" (by 1200) and then to "harmless" to "pitiable" (in the late thirteenth century) and then,

by the 1570s, to "feeble in mind, lacking in reason. Descriptivism would support the usage of

either form of etymology since it traces back to the origin and as long as it is used appropriately

in a sentence. However, there are controversies since the words have a different meaning, and

thus the stand of prescriptivism.

The word etymology is itself an etymology. The name etymology root is ἐτυμολογία

(etumología), itself from ἔτυμον (étumon) that means a great sense of certainty. Using either the

word etymology or etumologia in a sentence, according to descriptivism, does not change the

content. However, prescriptivism refutes the need to follow standard rules in word usage.

Controversies can arise since both words trace the same origin.

In conclusion, prescriptivism and descriptivism have brought up controversies escalating

grammar wars for individuals. Grammar enthusiasts have fallen victims of the disputes raised by

these two sides. Standardization rules and etymologies in English have contributed to the debate
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between prescriptivism and descriptivism. These rules and world histories indicate the need for

whether to adopt or disregard standard regulations. The two approaches give different arguments

on the application of standards in English language usage. Both prescriptivism and descriptivism

have their pros and cons.

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Works Cited

Schlinger Jr, Henry D. "Grammar Wars." Scientific American 316.3 (2017): 6-6.

Stout, Dietrich, et al. "Grammars of action in human behaviour and evolution." bioRxiv (2018):

281543.

Victor, Daniel. "Lack of Oxford comma could cost Maine company millions in overtime

dispute." The New York Times (2017).