In Traditional Grammar

Descriptive Grammar  —  [Prescriptive Grammar]  Ironically, the term “Descriptive Grammar” is not even considered to be a part of Traditional Grammar.  Although the term DOES exist — it is only considered to be a part of Linguists, and is not even recognized as an actual aspect OF Grammar.  But is, instead, thought of as a concept ABOUT it, and the way in-which it should be taught.

It is said that it is an approach to language that “Describes” how people USE Language / Grammar.  As opposed to its counterpart “Prescriptive Grammar” — which is thought-of as the strict system used in traditional schooling — which says how the language SHOULD be used — based on the so-called “Rules”.

So ultimately — both concepts of “Descriptive…” and “Prescriptive Grammar” are essentially nothing-more-than concepts for Linguists & Scholars to write papers & debate about — rather than being two VERY distinct, and clearly-observable Aspects Of the very “Rules & Regulations” that make-up the entirety of Grammar.

(Interestingly — In the Refined & Perfected “Grammar Of The Common Tongue” — the very term “Descriptive Grammar” falls within the category of “Prescriptive Grammar”.  This is because that which is “Descriptive Grammar” is specific.  It either is or it is not.)

Errata

First & Fore-Most:  The fact that these Two VERY-Distinct Aspects Of Grammar are not even recognized by the traditional world of Linguistics & English Pedagogy is…  un-fathomable.

This is because — If one observes an EFL / ESL English class — it becomes very clear that the students recognize it (even if the teacher does not).  This is evident when they ask questions like:  “Why does the rule say to do this, but no one says it that way?”  —  “Why can’t we just say ___ instead?”

Secondly:  EFL / ESL teachers are actually told that when students ask questions about those “Rules” which can and are broken (those of “Descriptive Grammar”) — they are to say to the student:  “That’s just the way it is.” — “Just follow the rule as it is in the book.”

So…  The main problems with the term “Descriptive Grammar” (and its counterpart “Prescriptive Grammar”) are that:  1. They are not even recognized in the traditional system.  2. When students ask questions that point directly to them — they are completely ignored (at the direction of those training the teachers — solely for the teachers’ convenience — so they do not need to explain something that they do not comprehend, or to admit that they do not know the answer.)

Resolution

Now That The Problems Are Known — The Resolution is simple — To State The Truth:  There Are Two Very Distinct Aspects Of Grammar.  There is “Descriptive Grammar” & “Prescriptive Grammar”.  One Describes how we usually communicate in certain situations.  The other Prescribes how we MUST communicate in other situations.

In Traditional Grammar — they do not even recognize that there ARE Two Very-Distinct Aspects — and so ALL of the so-called “Rules” are “Lumped Together” “In One Big Pile” that we call “The Rules Of Grammar”.  And even though many of those “Rules” can, and often ARE, broken (while other “Rules” can NOT be broken) — there is no differentiation between them.  (And this is one of the main reasons why people say that learning English is “difficult”.)

In “The Grammar Of The Common Tongue” — It IS recognized & taught that there indeed ARE Two Very Distinct Aspects Of Grammar — The “Descriptive” & “Prescriptive”.  And also that there is a very big difference between the terms “Rules” & “Regulations”.

• “Rule” = Some Device by-which something else is measure;  A tool which is used to “guide a line”.  It is not the “guideline” itself.  It is that which is used to create it.  (This it the True & Proper Definition based on Etymology — not the erroneous modern Common Usage)

• “Regulation” = That which is dictated to Limit, Restrict, & “Prescribe” behavior, within some clearly measured realm.  (This it the True & Proper Definition based on Etymology — not the erroneous modern Common Usage)

• “Descriptive Grammar” = The term used within The Common Tongue, to refer to those “Rules” of Grammar which Describe how Language is used in certain situations — but which is NOT strictly Regulated.  These are the “Rules” which can, and often are, broken — while the message of communication remains clear.

• “Prescriptive Grammar” = The term used within The Common Tongue, to refer to those “Regulations” of Grammar which Prescribe how Language MUST be used in certain situations — and ARE strictly Regulated.  These are the “Regulations” which can NOT be broken — or else the message of communication will be obscured or completely broken-down.

In The Common Tongue

Summary  — There is NOT Only One Monolithic Grammar for The English Language, which is a conglomeration of a massive amount of “Rules” which MUST be followed.  (That is only true in Traditional Grammar)  There are — instead — Two Very Distinct Aspects Of English Grammar that make-up the “Rules” & “Regulations” of Grammar.

“Descriptive Grammar” is one of those Aspects.  “Prescriptive Grammar” is the other.  ALL Rules & Regulations of Grammar fall within one or the other of these Aspects.  Knowing This To Be True — much of what seemed to be Confusing and Illogical about English Grammar, suddenly “Makes Sense” — and is a lot more clear.  And ultimately that is the essential purpose of the creation of “The Grammar Of The Common Tongue”.

AI Analysis & Overview

Now — listen to the audio file below to hear an AI Analysis of the term “Descriptive Grammar” and how it is described above.  This acts as an Advanced Level lessons, but it will certainly help to synthesize and expand on the information given above.

In “Esoteric English”

(What Is “Esoteric English”?)