PRESCRIPTIVISM vs. DESCRIPTIVISM

(pic taken from: hoydenabouttown.com of google images)

I know some of you may be so familiar already with these concepts, especially those who have had thorough studies in language and language learning theories and approaches. 

(pic taken from: emedia.leeward.hawaii.edu of google images)

Let us try to analyze this comic strip very quickly...

Did you find the exchange of lines interesting? Well, that makes the study of prescriptivism and descriptivism interesting!

For the benefit of those who are not very familiar with the concepts, let me share with you some important points related to these concepts. Along with the notes taken from various references, I will be giving some of my personal notes and insights. 

PRESCRIPTIVISM 

[A prescriptive approach is one that expresses certain dissatisfaction with the language use in general and even the language of such speakers. Those who take this approach believe that no one can be trusted to use the language “correctly”.] (Wardaugh, 2003) 

This approach “prescribes” how a language should be used. Therefore, it tries to implement some rules in using the language. According to the above-mentioned author, this approach is something we cannot just ignore. Why? Though this approach is “conservative” in nature, most of our existing references and formal prose conform to prescriptivism. However, if we dwell too much on prescriptivism, especially in speech, it will make us sound either pompous or pretentious, or both. 

Prescriptive Grammars 

[From ancient times until the present, “purists” have believed that language change is corruption, and that there are certain “correct” forms that all educated people should use in speaking and writing. They wish to “prescribe” rather than “describe” the rules of grammar, which gave rise to the writing of prescriptive grammars.] (Fromkin et. al, 2003) 

Based on the book authored by Fromkin and colleagues, there were certain historical events attributed to the rise of “prescriptive grammars”. In accordance with the stipulations in that book, during Renaissance, a new middle class emerged who wanted their children to speak the dialect of the “upper” classes. This in turn led to the publication of many prescriptive grammars. One author who first popularized descriptive grammar was Bishop Robert Lowth in 1762. His book prescribed a number of rules for English. And since he was influential at that time, many of these rules were legislated into the English grammar. 

As what we usually believe, language is dynamic, it changes with time. So, the rules which have been established before may no longer work this time, they may be outdated already and those which were not acceptable before may be widely-accepted now. 

DESCRIPTIVISM 

[A descriptive approach is one that attempts to describe actual language use.] (Wardaugh, 2003) 

It does not tell you “how” to speak or use the language; it simply “describes” how the speakers of the language use their language. 

Descriptive Grammar 

[To understand the nature of language we must understand the nature of grammar, and in particular, the internalized, unconscious set of rules that is part of every grammar of every language. Every human being who speaks a language knows its grammar. When linguists wish to describe a language, they attempt to describe the grammar of the language that exists in the minds of its speakers.] (Fromkin et. al, 2003) 

The descriptive grammar describes our basic linguistic knowledge. It tells us what we know about our language and how we are able to understand the language. It is not so concerned of the rules in using the language. 

INSIGHTS 

Knowing these two approaches in viewing language somehow widens our understanding of how language works. We will no longer be confined with using just the “prescribed” one. As English teachers, we are always particular with what is “proper” according to the book --- books which were published by the “purists”. As I have mentioned above, we cannot just ignore the prescriptive grammar because many of the formal writing we have nowadays are still conforming to prescriptivism. In those books, we don’t normally see words such as ain’t, gotta, wanna. Why? It is simply because these words are not accepted in the “prescriptive” point of view. These are considered “improper”. However, you might ask “Why is it improper?” How can it be wrong if the native speakers of the language use such expressions? Descriptivists believe that these expressions are not really wrong. These are simply reflections of what the current language status is. 

In grammar, there have been a lot of changes in the rules. Some which were acceptable before became unacceptable at some point in history and is now acceptable again. Earlier, I have mentioned about Bishop Lowth; before the publication of his book, it was widely accepted if one says “John is fatter than me.” However, some rules were established --- I not me, he not him, they not them, and so forth should follow “than” in comparative constructions. So, the sentence should be “John is fatter than I.” That was at certain time, when prescriptivism was popular. Nowadays, the use of “me” after “than” is starting to become more acceptable again, especially in spoken English. That’s how dynamic language is! 

Nonetheless, it should not be an excuse for us to just say “descriptive” to get rid of questions related to “correct grammar”. As teachers, we should always know both sides of the coin. We should be well-equipped with the necessary background knowledge to make our students understand and learn the language better. 

Furthermore, as teachers, we should always be open-minded about the changes. We should also be more understanding about some of the so called “mistakes” of others which are not in accordance with the “theory” or “approach” that we adhere to. 

To end my discussion, I want to quote one of my professors in the graduate school, Dr. Karaan. “Knowing much about grammar should not make us much of a critic, it should make us become more understanding of other’s mistakes”. As teachers, we should not just be laughing at our students’ grammatical mistakes. We should not embarrass or degrade anyone just because he/she committed a grammatical mistake. We should correct or critic but it should be done in the right manner. We should help him/her express ideas/concepts in a more comprehensible way. We should encourage others to “communicate” for them to have better facility of the language. We should not “intimidate” them. After all, grammar is not everything, it’s “communication”. It’s how we make ourselves understood.

My Reflection on the “Seven Last Words"

First Word:

“Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they’re doing.”

Do not do unto others what you don’t want others to do unto you – this is the golden rule, a very popular mantra which all of us know, yet few of us actually follow. How do we relate to others? Do we treat them with kindness and sincerity? Do we treat others as slaves? Do we relate to others for the sake of our self-vested interests? Are we using other people to serve our best and not theirs? Are we giving them what they are worth of?

If we come to reflect at how we treat people, we may have different considerations. Having many friends does not assure us that we are being good to others. In my perspective, how sincere we are to others and how we are making others become a better person is a concrete way of being a good social being. Yet, it is not enough. Ultimately, we should bring other people closer to God by how we relate to them. I may not have done this perfectly yet but I hope I have made a positive impact to other people through who I am and how I relate to them.

Second Word:

“I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

PARADISE. This is something that everyone dreams of, everyone aims to go to, and everyone strives to discover. What is a paradise? Is it something of extravagant lights? Is it something of fresh air and good scenery? Is it something of fun people and gleeful environment? Is it the feeling of being meritorious? Is it the feeling of self gratification or self realization?

Paradise is in our hearts. Paradise is relatively different for each of us depending on how we tried to discover it and how we accept it. Nevertheless, one thing God has promised us. We will be in paradise once we believe in Him. Believing in him means surrendering our lives to God. When we submit our lives to him, everything we experience and everything we see …is paradise.

Third Word:

“Dear woman, here is your son.”

I really like listening to the Tagalog version of this “Ina, narito ang iyong anak; Anak, narito ang iyong ina”. I am a woman, yet I’m not yet a mother. However, I know how a mother sacrifices for her kids. I know how proud a mother is when her child accomplishes something. I know how grateful a mother is when she sees her child growing to be a daughter/son of God. Most of all, I know how painful for a mother it is to see her daughter/son suffering from pain. This is all because “I am a daughter” and I’m thankful of how my mother has brought me up.

As a child, I may not have experienced the lures in life that other kids may have experienced, I may not have the best things in life, I may not have much when I was young, I may not have a perfect family but I AM SO PROUD that God has given me a wonderful family who perfectly taught me values and endlessly take care of me.

To my parents, Mom and Dad, I am so grateful that you two are my parents. We may not have a perfect family but I guess it was meant to teach me to be strong, to be good, to be excellent, and to be a better person. To my siblings, my sis and bro, I am so thankful that God gave such wonderful people who can perfectly blend well with me. We may have fights, arguments, and disagreements, but we are always tied to each other simply because we are of the same blood and we are all children of God.

Fourth Word:

“My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”

Each of us walk different paths in life, some may have a bit easy one and others may complain that it is too much. But one thing I’m sure is that each of us are given different types of struggles in life. Each of us is given different kinds of strength and stamina to go through and overcome such trials. However, there are times in our lives that we could somehow think that God has forsaken us, that life is unfair, that our sufferings are too much, that we can’t surpass it anymore, that our resources are not enough, and that God is not helping us at all.

Despite of all those doubts, all those questions, and all the skepticism, surely God will deliver an angel to make us realize that whatever stumbling block we are thrown at, there is a blessing in disguise.

As the well-known saying goes, there’s a rainbow after the rain. This happens if we continue to trust and believe in the power of His love. God never leaves us!

Fifth Word:

“I am thirsty.”

This word which came out from Jesus is also the same word that many of us are saying nowadays. It is summer season and we just couldn’t endure the scorching heat. We thirst and we want it to be quenched through any form of liquid that could ease this kind of uncomfortable feeling.

Same goes true with our lives, we have different kinds of thirsts, we “thirst” for recognition, promotion, wealth, success, good life, self-gratification, and the list could extend to as long as you can imagine. Yet, have we thought whether these thirsts are worthy to be quenched? Is it really worthy to ask for these?

Sixth Word:

“It is finished!”

This word which was uttered by Jesus before he died simply signifies that he has done the ultimate act of saving mankind. This means he has done his part; he has done what has been entrusted to him by God, the Father. It is finished! We are officially saved!

BUT, is that all? Are we really saved? Have we done our part? In salvation, God can do His part but we should also do our part. For us to be truly saved, we should abide to the rules of God. We can’t be perfect, we commit mistakes, but “have we asked for forgiveness?”

Personally, I can say that I commit mistakes and there are those I commit repeatedly. Of course, I want to be saved but I am not sure yet if I have done enough to be worthy of His salvation. Nevertheless, I truly believe that God is a forgiving God. So, I can claim that I will be saved.

Seventh Word:

“Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” 

For mankind, I could say that this is the concrete act of following God. Entrusting everything to Him is the greatest thing a person could do. Why? Because when you entrust yourself and your life to God, you will accept everything that goes with it, easy or challenging, good or bad. In entrusting everything to Him, we forget our own desires, our personal interests, and our selfish motives.

This could be an ultimate act of being a good follower of God but this is not an easy thing. This is one of the most difficult to do. For us, humans, it’s not easy to give up our own desires. We oftentimes plan and schedule everything for the achievement of our goals, and objectives in life and we forget to follow what God has planned for us.

These SEVEN LAST WORDS have really made me realize that I should do my part to be worthy of His sacrifice. 

PHOTO CREDITS:

Google Images

www.jesuswalk.com (first picture)

en-gb.facebook.com (1^st word)

en-gb.facebook.com (2^nd  word)

wanderingmedic.wordpress.com (3^rd word)

capfrans.blogspot.com (4^th word)

www.nwcrc.ca (5^th word)

www.becomingastrongwomanofgod.com (6^th word)

en-gb.facebook.com  (7^th word)

From DREAM…to REALITY

All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them. 

-Walt Disney

Every dream starts with a dreamer. A person needs to possess the strength, the passion, the perseverance, and the courage to pursue them. A dream does not come like magic which happens in a blink of an eye without any conscious effort. Any dream, big or small, can do come true.

It has been many years that I’ve been so curious about Cebu and some of the remarkable places there that I see in pictures or read in books. What ignited my interest in visiting the place is that it is very close to my hometown, Siaton, Negros Oriental, but I haven’t had the chance of being there. Now that I’m already working and earning on my own, I have realized that many things are already within my reach since I have a little bit of resources to suffice my simple, little dreams.

Last year (2012), my sister, my mom, aunts, grandma, and I booked a trip to that beautiful island well-known to many tourists. Another realization that came to me was, in order for you to achieve your dreams, there will be people who will serve as instruments to make the ladder to your dream easier to climb. I am grateful to some of my relatives who have been so supportive of me and my family. Another realization I had was that, for a dream to be realized, one must have the patience to wait. It does not come in an instant if it’s not yet the right timing.

Early this year, January, 2013, we had our most-anticipated family trip to Cebu. Two weeks before the trip, I had to make the itinerary (at least, list of places) to visit there. I listed most of the well-known places close to Cebu City where Cebu Business Hotel is located.

While listing, I came across this picture of some historical landmarks in Cebu… (I told myself, “I shall take pictures of these places when I get there.”)

                                              www.cebubesthomes.com 

While collating my pictures after the trip, I noticed that I was able to take snapshots of the places (with ME on it) I listed and posted a week before the trip.

This simple illustration of a dream come true may be too shallow yet it gave me a strong impact. Dreams do really come true if we make ways to achieve it. And, as I said earlier, a dream starts with a dreamer. There is indeed no impossibility in realizing the desires of our hearts.

Dream big! ^_^