Descriptivism. Flashcards
Describe descriptivism.
Descriptivism involves observing and analysing language, without passing too much judgment, on the habits and practices within speech communities. It focuses on language users and uses without attempting to get them to modify their language according to external standards. Descriptive linguistics aims to understand the ways people use language in the world, given all of the forces that influence such use.
What is David Crystal’s view on those who condemn language change?
That their views are unjust and language change is inevitable.
What is Crystal’s view on English being a ‘perfect changeless state’.
That language change is a natural result of social contact between people who speak differently, and who influence each other so that their speech converges or diverges.
Crystal suggests we should have a view of ‘eternal tolerance’ as opposed to ‘eternal vigilance’. What does he mean by this? Do you agree?
That we should be tolerant to others speech and accept it rather than criticise and ridicule it.
What does Crystal suggest we should focus our attention on and why?
Questioning why language change is viewed to be as a sickness or a disease because it is not enough to say there is no disease - to point out that language change is the normal state of health.
Why do you think people are ‘protective’ about standard English?
It’s a variety which blinds educated people all together over the world. A standard variety is invaluable because is gives people from very different regional and cultural backgrounds an agreed way to communicate.
What role does school play in the preservation of standard English? Do you agree?
It is an artificial exercise, taught consciously according to rules which are as much social and historical as linguist in character. Linguists who ignore the essentially prescriptive nature of the written language (most noticeably spelling) do so at their own peril. Children can of course learn standard English without losing any of their local identity.
What does Crystal criticise Aitchison about?
It was a mistake to ignore the relationship between speech and writing.
What does Crystal say is the reason why people are uncomfortable with linguistic change?
Our intuitions about language are grounded in a lifetime of previous usage, laid down in childhood and therefore we have familiarity with our own language. To change it would feel unnatural and to some extent an intrusion.
In what ways does Crystal criticise the metaphors used to describe language change?
If you conceive of change as unilinear, a single dimension, then it is a short step to thinking of it as a process of progress or decay.
What metaphor does Crystal use to describe language change? Do you think it is effective?
The metaphor of the tide. No two high tides are the same. It does not make sense to say that yesterday’s tide is in some sense better or worse than tomorrows.
How should a linguist observe language change differently to others?
By being capable of recognising these feelings for what they are, and are not in the business of trying to impose their personal views on society at large. Also, to recognise that linguistic change is unavoidable, an intrinsic feature of language, deep rooted in its social milieu.
Define the memorable quote from David Crystal.
“There is no predictable direction for the changes that are taking place, They are just that: changes. Not changes for the better; nor changes for the worse; just changes, sometimes going one way, sometimes another.
Why is language change unpredictable according to Crystal?
Because it is in the minds of so many people and it is a rather unconscious process.
What does Crystal mean by ‘linguistic anxiety’?
Anxiety towards language change.
