1. Deviating from the prescriptive rules of grammar: This is the most common and straightforward definition. Ungrammatical speech is considered wrong according to the established rules of a language, regardless of whether it is understandable or not. For example, "Me went to the store" would be considered ungrammatical by this definition, because it doesn't follow the rule of using the nominative pronoun "I" in the subject position.
2. Lacking grammaticality in terms of syntax and morphology: This definition focuses on the internal structure of language. Ungrammatical speech would be considered as having a structure that violates the rules of syntax (sentence formation) and morphology (word formation). For example, a sentence like "The cat the mouse chased" would be considered ungrammatical because it lacks the necessary elements to form a coherent sentence.
3. Unintelligible or incomprehensible speech: This definition considers ungrammatical speech to be something that makes it difficult or impossible to understand. It might include things like mispronounced words, unclear sentence structures, or slang that is not understood by the listener.
Ultimately, what constitutes "ungrammatical speech" is not always clear-cut. It depends on context, who is speaking, and the specific goal of the communication.
Here are some important points to consider:
* Prescriptive vs. Descriptive Grammar: Prescriptive grammar focuses on how language *should* be used, while descriptive grammar describes how language is actually used. This distinction is important because "ungrammatical" speech according to prescriptive rules might be perfectly acceptable in everyday usage.
* Regional and Social Variation: Language varies depending on geographical location and social group. What is considered "ungrammatical" in one region or social group may be perfectly acceptable in another.
* Context and Purpose: The context and purpose of communication can also influence what is considered ungrammatical. Speech that is considered ungrammatical in a formal setting might be acceptable in a casual setting.
It's important to be aware of these nuances when considering what is considered ungrammatical speech.