Prescriptivism v Descriptivism

Question 1

Dr Cushing

Answer 1

‘Slang bans’ at 20 schools

Question 2

Académie française

Answer 2

French institution controlled and limited what came into the French language – they confirmed or rejected new words and protected French grammar syntax

Question 3

Aitchison’s metaphors

Answer 3

Crumbling Castle View
Infectious Disease Assumption
Damp Spoon Syndrome

Question 4

Inkhorn Controversy

Answer 4

1500 - no way of categorising language, need for control

Question 5

Samuel Johnson

Answer 5

‘Confusion to be regulated’, trying to ‘Lash the wind’

Third dictionary in 1755

Question 6

‘Confusion to be regulated’, trying to ‘Lash the wind’

Third dictionary in 1755

Answer 6

Samuel Johnson

Question 7

Crystal

Answer 7

Tide Metaphor - Change happens in a ‘natural and progressive way’

Question 8

Crystal’s estimates for no. of English speakers

Answer 8

2 billion - Impossible to control

Question 9

Lowth

Answer 9

‘A short introduction to grammar’

-Syntax takes ages to change

Question 10

Example of the tide metaphor

Answer 10

Linguistic Reclamation – Archaic, racially charged epithet – N-Word or ‘Gay’