Key Characteristics of Prescriptive Grammarians:
* Focus on Correctness: They believe there's a right and wrong way to use language and aim to define and maintain those standards.
* Emphasis on Rules: They rely on established rules, often based on Latin grammar, to guide language usage.
* Judgmental Attitude: They tend to be critical of language use that deviates from their prescribed rules, often labeling it as "incorrect" or "uneducated."
* Desire for Stability: They often resist linguistic change and strive to preserve established language norms.
Notable Figures:
* Robert Lowth (1710-1787): Author of the influential "Short Introduction to English Grammar" (1762), which introduced many grammatical rules still prevalent today, including the prohibition against ending sentences with prepositions.
* Henry Alford (1810-1871): A clergyman and scholar who wrote "The Queen's English" (1864), a book aimed at correcting what he perceived as common errors in English usage.
* George Curme (1860-1942): A linguist and author of "A Grammar of the English Language" (1931), a comprehensive work that presented a highly prescriptive approach to English grammar.
* Strunk and White (1918): The "Elements of Style" by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White, though often considered a guide to good writing, also contains prescriptive elements.
It's important to note that:
* Linguistics vs. Prescriptivism: Linguists, who study language objectively, are generally opposed to prescriptivism. They argue that language is dynamic and constantly evolving and that prescriptive rules often fail to capture the complexity and nuance of actual language use.
* The Changing Landscape: While prescriptive grammarians have traditionally had a strong influence, their authority has diminished in recent times. The rise of descriptive linguistics and the recognition of language variation have led to a more nuanced understanding of grammar.
In summary: Prescriptive grammarians advocate for specific ways of using language based on established rules, often without considering the historical, cultural, and social contexts in which language is used. They play a significant role in shaping attitudes towards language correctness, but their influence is increasingly contested by linguists and other language professionals who focus on the complexities and diversity of language.