Such a grammar of a given language consists of a set of precise rules which native speakers intuitively follow in the production and understanding of verbal well-formed constructions and which help them to realize well-formed, “grammatical” sentences and to mark ungrammatical sentences or phrases (as derivations from that grammar). Modern grammars are theory-driven and thus fulfil scientific standards. Therefore a grammar is a full-length description of a language as it is actually used by its speakers. Grammar in a scientific sense is based on a purely descriptive approach and is defined by a general theory of language, and is therefore based on linguistic universals that help to understand what a human language is in general. Grammar as a Description of a Particular Language You may find prescriptive grammars in the line of traditional linguistics of the earlier centuries.Ģ. Prescriptive grammar, unlike descriptive grammar (see below), is thus not an object of research for modern linguists. This effect shows that correctness (or “proper language”) is not a result of general principles of language, but of the social agreement on accepted or expected usage of specific forms. Not following these rules leads to incorrect usage and, in the worst case, to social stigmatisation due to failure in communication. Such correctness is formulated by prescriptive rules on what is right or wrong, good or bad language use. It deals with the “correct” forms of a language that people should use both in speaking and writing. Grammar as a Prescriptive Compilation for the Use of a Particular LanguageĪ prescriptive approach to language deals with the setting of rules about the structure of a language.
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