When discussing language attitudes and ideologies in class, an interesting question came up: should we correct people’s grammar? As demonstrated by Van Herk (2018), a language is in constant contact with other languages and experience the borrowing of words and expressions, changing significantly throughout its existence. Since it is normal for a language to change and to be used in different manners, should we insist on correct grammar?
This question brings up the aspect of prescriptivism vs descriptivism in language usage. Prescriptivism focuses on the correct and proper use of language, while descriptivism simply looks at how language is currently used (Wolfram & Schilling-Estes, 2016). Linguists are said to favour descriptivism, as changes in a language are a natural process. Additionally, Wolfram and Schilling-Estes (2016) state that certain forms of prescriptivism can replicate and reinforce social equalities, specifically for language users who use a non-standard form of English. This video explains the two terms in a general manner.
I completely understand how deciding that one variety of English is ‘standard’ and ‘proper’ essentially excludes all others from being correct. However, as an ESL teacher, I greatly question if accepting any form of grammar is beneficial to the learners. Students who learn a language typically want to sound fluent and as close to native-like as possible. If teachers do not insist on teaching correct grammar and do not give any corrective feedback when mistakes are made, the chances of students speaking with appropriate grammar are greatly reduced, thus impeding the students’ goals. Additionally, using incorrect grammar can lead to break-downs in communication. As an online teacher to low-level learners, I often face the reality that they can only express themselves in the present tense. This impedes expressing an appropriate message, since I cannot know if they are really speaking in the present or do not possess the grammar to speak in the past or any other tense. Grammar rules can be seen as demanding and overly-specific by others, but I appreciate how each verb tense communicates facts in different manners. For example: “I had been reading my book…” vs “ I was reading my book…’’. The first implies that in the past, while one was reading their book, something else happened. The second phrase implies that the action is in the past and done. If we do not insist on correct grammar and accept any usage, how can we know what the speaker meant?
A breakdown in communication: https://www.dropbox.com/s/291ky2d14ucqdsb/Grammar%20mistake.jpeg?dl=0
As there are many language teachers in the classroom, I would love to know your thoughts. Should we insist on the proper usage of grammar for ESL learners? How can we use prescriptivist rules without replicating social inequities? How can we deal in break-downs in communication resulting from incorrect grammar usage?
References
Calude S, Andreea.(April 12, 2016). Does grammar matter? [Video] Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wn_eBrIDUuc
Van Herk, Gerard. (2018). What is sociolinguistics? 2eChichester, West Sussex, UK: Wiley- Blackwell.
Wolfram, W., & Schilling-Estes, N. (2016). American English : dialects and variation (Third, Ser. Language in society). Wiley-Blackwell.
