Quick questions on Attitudes to language change: prescriptivism and descriptivism - Eduqas A-Level English Language

Attitudes to change are visible in public discourse: letters to newspapers complaining about 'misused' words, campaigns against text-speak, and the role of authorities (dictionaries, style guides, broadcasters) as perceived guardians. Analysing this discourse, the metaphors it uses (decay, laziness, infection), the changes it targets, and the social anxieties it expresses, is a rich way to argue about attitudes, and it connects to Aitchison's critique of prescriptivist metaphors.

"The claim that change is decline cannot survive the historical evidence. Forms now condemned as sloppy, the singular 'they', the use of 'decimate' for 'destroy', new coinages, follow exactly the pattern of changes that earlier prescriptivists condemned and that are now unremarkable Standard English. Since the 'decline' is always measured against a moving and idealised past, the decline view describes a perpetual anxiety rather than an actual deterioration, which supports the descriptivist case that change is natural."

"A letter complaining that texting is 'destroying' English exemplifies prescriptivist attitudes and their metaphors: the language of destruction and decay assumes a perfect standard under threat. Analysing the complaint, rather than endorsing it, reveals that it targets a rule-governed innovation (abbreviation, which has a long history) and expresses a social anxiety about young people's language as much as a linguistic judgement." This analyses public attitudes critically.

What is the difference between prescriptivism and descriptivism? [2 marks]

Why is the view that change is 'decline' hard to sustain? [2 marks]

Discuss the view that language change is a sign of decline, with reference to attitudes to change. [16 marks]