Prescriptive Approach:
* Focus: Dictates how language *should* be used, based on rules and standards deemed correct.
* Goal: To maintain a consistent and "proper" form of language, often rooted in tradition and authority.
* Examples: Grammar rules like "don't end a sentence with a preposition" or "use 'who' for people and 'which' for things."
* Criticism: Often seen as rigid and inflexible, ignoring the natural evolution of language and the diversity of usage.
Descriptive Approach:
* Focus: Observes and analyzes how language is actually used in real-world situations.
* Goal: To understand the structure and function of language as it is spoken and written by its users.
* Examples: Linguists studying the grammatical patterns of different dialects or the evolution of slang terms.
* Criticism: Can be criticized for being overly tolerant of "incorrect" usage and for not providing clear guidance on appropriate language use.
In essence:
* Prescriptive: Tells you what you should do with language.
* Descriptive: Tells you what people actually do with language.
It's important to note that:
* These approaches are not necessarily mutually exclusive. Some language study involves both prescriptive and descriptive elements.
* In practical usage, we often blend both approaches. We might use a prescriptive rule in a formal setting, but be more tolerant of colloquialisms in casual conversation.
Here's a helpful analogy: Imagine a map.
* Prescriptive: Like a map that shows the "ideal" route, but doesn't account for traffic or road closures.
* Descriptive: Like a map that shows the actual roads and traffic conditions, even if they don't always follow the "ideal" route.
Ultimately, the best approach to language depends on the context and the intended audience.