"Dave Dunn" <poi### [at] aolcom> wrote in message
news:3C0B7B79.EEF09155@aol.com...
> Ben Chambers wrote:
>
> >Kind of like the English language :)
>
> Interesting that you should mention this. I have been thinking that this
> whole discussion mirrors a debate that has been raging for years in the
> area of liguistics, between prescriptive and descriptive grammar.
> Prescritive grammar is based on the insistance that a set of rules,
> formulated over the course of time, must be followed, or the language
> will degenerate. Descriptive grammar looks at the way the language is
> being used and reformulates the rules to reflect current usage. I happen
> to fall into the descriptive category.

I would have to go with prescriptive.  Language is very important - not just
for communication, but also in forming our thoughts (this is the main reason
that learning a second language is so highly recommended - it forces you to
learn to restructure your thoughts).  Because of this, it is important to
follow grammatical rules.  If you do not follow the set grammar, what
happens is not a muddling of the language, but a muddling of your thought
processes.

...Chambers

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