Is the Linguists' View of Prescriptive Grammar Reductionist? (A Re-Examination of the Accusations Made against the Prescriptive Tradition)

Autor/in	Al-Rushaidi, Sultan Mohammed Saaiyed
Titel	Is the Linguists' View of Prescriptive Grammar Reductionist? (A Re-Examination of the Accusations Made against the Prescriptive Tradition)
Quelle	In: Arab World English Journal, 11 (2020) 3, S.305-317 (13 Seiten) PDF als Volltext kostenfreie Datei Verfügbarkeit
Zusatzinformation	ORCID (Al-Rushaidi, Sultan Mohammed Saaiyed)
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	2229-9327
Schlagwörter	Grammar; Teaching Methods; Second Language Learning; Second Language Instruction; English (Second Language); Standard Spoken Usage; Linguistics; Critical Thinking; Language Variation; Diachronic Linguistics; Linguistic Theory + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Grammatik; Teaching method; Lehrmethode; Unterrichtsmethode; Zweitsprachenerwerb; Fremdsprachenunterricht; English as second language; English; Second Language; Englisch als Zweitsprache; Gesprochene Sprache; Umgangssprache; Linguistik; Kritisches Denken; Sprachenvielfalt; Linguistics; Diachronische Sprachbetrachtung; Historische Linguistik; Linguistische Theorie
Abstract	This paper seeks to intellectually stimulate researchers who are interested in the history of grammar and the long-standing debate about prescriptivism. Contrary to popular belief, there are scholars who still put forward arguments about the significant role played by prescriptive grammar in the development of Modern Standard English. Such counter-arguments are usually absent in many introductory textbooks to linguistics, which portray prescriptive grammar in a negative light. Nonetheless, only by listening to both sides of the debate, researchers can make a more objective judgment, avoid reductionist views, and encourage students of linguistics to engage in critical thinking. Therefore, the aim of this study is to re-examine the accusations made against prescriptive grammar by investigating various sources that give a different perspective on the origins and significance of the prescriptive tradition. The study has found that there is a strong connection between the prescriptive school of grammar and the development and preservation of Modern Standard English. Instead of being an impediment, the prescriptive approach that began in the 18th Century was a historical necessity at a time when linguistic variations were out of proportion and accepted standards were absent. The founders of this school did a great service to the English-speaking world by their contributions to the creation of a standard variety that has facilitated communication between speakers of diverse dialects of English. Unfortunately, the merits of this school have been buried by blanket accusations that lack careful analysis of what the works of prescriptive grammarians contained. The study has also shown how the dismissal of the prescriptive grammar can have negative outcomes and why it is important to re-examine the allegations made against it by modern linguists. (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	Arab World English Journal. 10602 Davlee Lane, Richmond, Texas, 77407. e-mail: editor@awej.org; e-mail: info@ASELS.org; Web site: https://awej.org/
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2024/1/01