descriptive linguistics
- noun
- /dɪˈskrɪptɪv lɪŋˈɡwɪstɪks/
- Specialized
:
lingüística descriptiva
- In descriptive linguistics, the goal is to record how people actually use language, not how they should use it.
Examples
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She conducted fieldwork in descriptive linguistics to document endangered languages.
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Many modern grammars are based on the methods of descriptive linguistics.
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The field of descriptive linguistics focuses on language as it is used.
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Many universities offer courses in descriptive linguistics.
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In descriptive linguistics, the goal is to record how people actually use language, not how they should use it.
-
Many modern grammars are based on the methods of descriptive linguistics.
-
The field of descriptive linguistics focuses on language as it is used.
Synonyms
The study of a language at one time, not its past changes
Antonyms
- Specialized
A study of language that tells people how to use it correctly
How Prescriptive
- Specialized
- Specialized
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly built from 'descriptive' (pertaining to describing) + 'linguistics' (the study of language), so a learner who knows both words can infer it refers to the branch of linguistics that describes language rather than prescribes rules. This compositional structure is common cross-linguistically and follows normal adjective+noun semantics, making the term immediately comprehensible to B1 learners.
Etymology
The term descriptive linguistics comes from descriptive ('to describe') and linguistics (the study of language) and gives the image of a photographer who records how people talk. So, descriptive linguistics means studying and writing down language as it is, not saying how people 'should' speak.
