Prescriptivism vs Descriptivism

Question 1

Prescriptivism

Answer 1

The attitude that language should have a strict set of rules. Language should be preserved or fixed

Question 2

Descriptivism

Answer 2

Language change should be acknowledged and recorded rather than judged and corrected

Question 3

Humphreys

Answer 3

Prescriptivist. SMSs are ‘destroying’ ‘pillaging’ ‘savaging’ ‘raping’ our language

Question 4

Crystal

Answer 4

Descriptivist. Argues that texting actually helps literacy. “The drive to be playful” is present when texting. Before abbreviating, you need a good understanding of the word before.