Like everything metaphysical the harmony between thought and reality is to be found in the grammar of the language. — Ludwig Wittgenstein

Grammar and language—two terms sometimes conflated, with meanings that often overlap and blur. Yet, we can classify and distinguish each by their function in human communication.

In this article, we’ll explore two frameworks for grammar and their relationship to language itself. We’ll delve into how these frameworks shape expression and communication and how they influence our understanding of the world and each other.

Prescriptivism: Controlling Language

Grammar, to some, is perhaps the disdain toward a preposition divorced from its noun, the agony of split infinitives, and the seemingly arrogant use of whom—oh, and the screams of grammar nazis as someone utters “between you and I.” These reactions are like the debates over whether Apple or Android is better. This perspective on language is called prescriptivism, which prescribes how one should use a language.

Prescriptivism is a slippery ideological platform that can either unite speakers of a language across dialects for standardized writing and communication—or it can infest speakers with arrogance, prejudice, and even hatred toward those who speak or write differently within the same language.

However, prescriptivism can be useful; for example, English has a variety called Standard Edited American English (SAE), which you’ll often find in formal communications, such as government documents, published books, and academic texts. This prescriptive variety allows people from across American English dialects to read and comprehend a piece of writing without needing translation. It enables effective communication and generates a standard of consistency. SAE is governed by a set of rules called prescriptive grammar.

Prescriptivism often seeks to hold language hostage, freezing it in time to guard against fads, trends, and rule-breaking. This approach attempts to impose a fixed set of rules on language, preserving traditional forms and structures while resisting the natural evolution that occurs as people adapt language to their changing needs. By protecting against what it views as linguistic decay, prescriptivism aims to maintain clarity, uniformity, and a standard of communication that can be universally understood by its speakers.

Prescriptivism Example

Imagine insisting on using whom correctly in casual conversation, even though most people around you don’t. While you might be technically correct, it can create a barrier in communication, making you seem overly formal or out of touch.

Descriptivism: Observing Language

Descriptive grammar, which documents how a language is actually used by its speakers, is the counterpart to prescriptive grammar. Linguists—experts in the scientific study of language—aim to objectively and systematically capture a language’s rules and structure. This empirical, observational, and analytical approach to language study is known as descriptivism, and it stands in contrast to prescriptivism.

Descriptivism seeks to understand the rules, patterns, and structures that naturally emerge within a language, capturing its evolution and variations across different communities, regions, and social groups.

This approach to grammar allows us to understand language as a living, evolving entity, reflecting the richness and diversity of human expression across various communities and cultures. It highlights language’s flexibility and how it adapts to the needs of its speakers, mirroring changes in society, technology, and thought. Through descriptivism, we gain insights into how language evolves over time, how new words and structures emerge, and how different communities contribute to its ongoing development.

By observing and documenting variations in a language, descriptivism provides a more inclusive view, recognizing that all forms of expression—whether formal or colloquial, standard or dialectal—have value and contribute to the tapestry of communication. This approach fosters a deeper respect for linguistic diversity, challenging the notion of a single “correct” way to speak or write, and it celebrates the many ways people use language to connect, create, and convey meaning. Each variation (dialect) possesses its own internal logic and beauty.

Some examples of English dialects (or varieties) that deviate from SAE include African American English, Southern Appalachian English, and Hoi Toider English. Ever heard someone say, “That there house is uh-sigogglin’!”?

Consider this sentence: I ain’t got no time. While prescriptive grammar might label this incorrect, descriptivism recognizes it as a valid expression in certain dialects, conveying the same meaning as I don’t have any time.

Language vs. Grammar

Having explored how language is observed and documented through descriptivism (and fixated through prescriptivism), we can now explore the fundamental relationship between language and grammar, examining its philosophical significance and scientific structure.

A Philosophical Perspective

Language is one of humanity’s greatest biologically developed assets, facilitating the creation, maintenance, and progression of civilization. It can also do the opposite: destroy, abuse, and deteriorate civilization, societies, and communities.

Language enables us to share, collaborate, narrate, and sing—forming the foundation of human expression and reflecting our deep social nature and need to connect with one another. It lets us read the news, listen to a TikTok rant, and gossip about the neighborhood. But it also allows us to build societies, pass down knowledge through generations, and foster a sense of community—through scientific studies, engineering manuals, historical records, philosophical essays, poems, plays, and cinematic masterpieces. Language is a cornerstone of civilization, empowering us to convey complex, nuanced ideas—it is a defining feature of being human.

Yet, when language is restricted or controlled, it can stifle creativity, suppress diverse perspectives, and obstruct the free exchange of ideas, impeding societal progress and undermining our freedom of expression.

So, how does grammar differ from language?

Grammar is the soul of language, enabling us to express the visions of our minds and the essence of our thoughts. It shapes ideas into words, sentences, and stories. As the structure underpinning language, grammar reflects the harmony between thought and reality, shaping how we communicate and how we think and understand the world around us. Without grammar, our expressions would be chaotic, our ideas incoherent, and our connections with others fragmented. It is through grammar that we find order in the vast complexity of human expression, allowing us to share our inner worlds with others.

A Scientific Perspective

While the philosophical perspective of language highlights the profound role of language in shaping human thought and society, the scientific perspective provides a detailed examination of the structural components that underpin this complex system.

Scientifically, language is a primary method of human communication—whether through speech, writing, or gestures. It is essential to our social interactions, enabling us to share ideas, express emotions, and build relationships. At its core, language is not just a random collection of sounds or symbols; it is a meticulously organized system governed by its grammar—the rules and patterns that ensure clarity and coherence.

The (descriptive) grammar is the systematic structure that underlies language; it’s the orchestration of sounds that craft themselves into words, phrases, and sentences to present meaningful communication. Grammar is the architecture of language, providing the framework that holds our thoughts together, ensuring they are understood by others.

Grammar is the interior of language—like the engine of a car, enclosed by the hood that usually goes unopened unless something’s gone awry. Just as the engine drives the car, enabling it to move and function properly, grammar drives language, allowing it to convey meaning and maintain coherence; just as the mechanic opens the hood of the car to locate a strange noise or replace a part, the linguist opens the language to investigate its components, connections, and governing framework.

Each language has its own grammar, a unique set of rules that shapes how its speakers form sounds, words, and sentences. These rules vary from one language to another, but they all serve the same purpose: to transform abstract thoughts into tangible expressions that can be shared and understood. This grammar is not monolithic in nature; rather, it is often divided into four fundamental components:

1. Phonology: The system of sounds. Example: The difference in pronunciation between bat and pat lies in their initial sounds. Phonology is the study of how these sounds function within a particular language, distinguishing one word from another and giving each language its distinctive auditory signature.
2. Morphology: The system of word formation. Example: The word unhappiness is formed by adding the prefixes un- and -ness to the base word happy. Morphology examines how words are constructed from smaller units of meaning, known as morphemes, and how these units can be combined to form new words or alter existing ones.
3. Syntax: The system of sentence structure. Example: In English, The cat chased the dog has a different meaning than The dog chased the cat due to word order. Syntax is the blueprint for arranging words into phrases and sentences, ensuring that the intended meaning is conveyed. It dictates the order in which words appear and how they relate to each other within a sentence.
4. Semantics: The system of meaning. Example: The word bank can refer to the side of a river or a financial institution, depending on context. Semantics delves into the meaning behind words and sentences, exploring how context, culture, and usage influence interpretation. It is the study of how we attach significance to words and how those meanings can shift depending on how and where they are used.

These four components of grammar work together to create a coherent and functional system, allowing language to serve its purpose as a tool for communication. Through the study of grammar, linguists can uncover the rules that govern this system, revealing the intricate patterns that make language both flexible and powerful. Understanding these rules not only helps us appreciate the complexity of language but also enables us to use it more effectively in our daily lives.

Conclusion

Exploring grammar and language through both prescriptive and descriptive lenses reveals a deeper appreciation for the intricate dynamics of human communication. Prescriptivism offers an imposed structure and consistency, aiming to ensure clear and standardized interactions, while descriptivism reveals the vibrant, ever-changing nature of language as it adapts to diverse contexts and cultures.

Grammar, whether viewed philosophically or scientifically, is the core of language, providing the rules and patterns that allow us to convey meaning and connect with others. By understanding both the structure and the fluidity of language, we can better navigate its complexities and harness its power to enrich our interactions and expressions.