Question

Please explain the differences between prescriptivism and descriptivism. Then explain how David Foster Wallace’s position attempts to reconcile the benefits of prescriptivism and descriptivism without repeating their flaws.

Answer 1

answer)So,prescriptivism and descriptivism are linguistic terms .It usually deals with the application of grammatical rules.Prescriptivism is the belief that one language is superior to others.and descriptivism is the thing which describes how the language is used.and prescriptivism define how the language should be used.prescriptivism lies on sliding scales of strictness and sense.prescriptivism is a set of grammatical rules prescribed by the language authority.the point of view on language is more influential and they reflect social value compared to descriptivism.descriptivism is based on what people say rather than social value like prescriptivism.prescriptivism is associated with correctness.It is mostly used by politicians,educators and public speakers etc.prescriptivism teaches grammar rules:for ex:all the grammatical rules used in tenses while speaking the sentences.whereas in descriptivism ,it says how people use the language.David Foster Wallace's position attempts to reconcile the benifits of prescriptivism and descriptivism without repeating their flaws by saying that drescriptivism are simply pollsters which continues cataloging human behaviors which are moronic.he believes that prescriptivism is in and that it because it serve a social purpose.Wallace bluntly refutes the idea that a descriptivist dictionary by cataloging usage of english .descriptivism is objective,democratic,and non-judgemental qualities that any liberal individual would like to espouse.but it is not believed so by Wallace.he believes that  it is fallacy.