LIN204H5 Study Guide - Final Guide: Linguistic Prescription, Linguistic System, Linguistic Description
Document Summary
The linguistic system that exists in the mind of speaker. Gives the sense that they know their language. Prescribe = recommend, advise, authorize the use of something. To whom are you speaking (proper english) Describe = give an account of the characteristics of something. Who are you speaking to (common in everyday english) Tom ain"t there (non-standard english- grammatical but not standard) Used in most professional interactions, official correspondence, national media, most literature. Considered the proper variety according to prescriptivists. Often spoken in less urban areas, at home, are not written, rarely heard in official or professional situations. Spoken in many locations by many different people. As a result, there are many varieties. English is uniform and proper and little variation . Uniformity goes against the nature of language. All languages are flexible and responsive to varieties of conditions related to their users and their purposes. Access to power through educational and professional advancement.
