Prescriptivism and Descriptivism

Prescriptivism

The attitude or belief that one variety of a language is superior to others and should be promoted as such.

A key aspect of traditional grammar, prescriptivism is characterized by a concern for "good," "proper," or "correct" usage.

Descriptivism

A nonjudgmental approach to language that focuses on how it is actually spoken and written. Contrast with prescriptivism.

Well known:

Descriptivist's

·                      Alexandra D’Arcy 

·                      Merriam-Webster

Prescriptivist's

·                     Shadyah A. N. Cole

·                     Geoffrey Nunberg

Alexandra D’arcy

As a sociolinguist, D'Arcy says, "I describe language as actually used and I revel in the differences and variations of language in practice. Despite my proud ancestry, there is no place for prescription in my world."

Geoffrey Nunberg.

Geoffrey Nunberg’s counsel in The Decline of Grammar (1983) still holds: discussion of the problems of grammar and their social importance “should be well informed, it should be nonpartisan, and it should be backed by a measure of courage and tolerance”.

BBC accents research and poll results

Aims and methodology:

The main aim of the survey was to find out what people thought about different regional accents. They carried out an internet survey involving just over 5000 people to find this out. Using celebrities with certain accents as examples. The final ratio nationally was 49 Male : 51 Female. Social Class data was not collected within the survey. 97% of the whole sample said that English was their first language and 26% of the overall sample said they spoke English as well as another language.

Findings and analysis:

Pierce Brosnan and his Irish/American accent appeared high up the list but Sean Connery and his Edinburgh tone came out on top, followed by Trevor McDonald's authoritative Trinidadian accent which people liked because it was easily recognisable. People enjoy listening to accents similar to their own, for example, the Scottish said they prefer Ewan McGregor's Perthshire accent where as the Welsh preferred listening to Welsh actor Richard Burton, while those in Northern Ireland found Terry Wogan's Limerick accent enjoyable to listen to.
Over half the people in the survey occasionally wished they had a differing accent to the one they already possess.
Throughout the country, people voted "an accent identical to your own" as one of their favourite accents. 
95% of people in Northern Ireland, 87% in Scotland and 79% in Wales think of themselves as having at least a moderately strong accent.

Conclusions:

• People like accents similar to their own because it allows them to use their own dialect.
• Scottish accents are consistently voted as most pleasurable to listen to by the general public.
• Stereotypical views and associations contain a strong link when it comes to attitudes and views towards accents.