Why is one way of speaking wrong compared to another. Who says what is proper and what isn't?

Answer 1

I am of the belief that language should work for us humans. In almost every area of our lives things are constantly being redesigned and improved, so why not language? Why should we as people work to conform to language? I think that language should work for us, the contemporary people, and not according to some scribe or scholar of yesteryear. Language should incorporate abbreviations for commonly used words and basic lingo or slang- when they are common knowledge anyway. My girlfriend happens to be a correct you all grammarian wannabe-- and it can just drive me crazy! If you communicate your thoughts, ideas or points in a clear and precise manner- then why be persecuted for grammar faux pas! The Darwinian theory of language must live on.. Evolve, improve and be efficient. Cheers!

Answer 2

Strunk and White (or any handbook publishers) don't have a say in what's "right" and "wrong" though.

There is a movement of teachers who believe in a student's right to their own language. IN 1974 the National Council of Teachers of English created a position statement about a student's right to their own language (with the same title). It can be read here (http://www.ncte.org/about/over/positions/category/lang/107502.htm)

According to this agreement, students in a composition class have the write to use their own dialects (but only if they are, in fact, dialects which raises another question). However, ebonics is a big issue in the composition world and with the 74' resolution students can use ebonics in the composition class. Of course, not everyone agrees with this but it's very interesting to consider.

Answer 3

Thass' what I alway useta say to my engulish teechurs! Who sez the way i spell is rong? Watz rong w' th' way i talk? They R justa bucha stuff shirts and rule fanatix! I dont use turn sigunalz or wadch where Im goin eethr! Just get outta my way!

Answer 4

well educated people have certain habits of expectation in the way of grammar and register which will not usually be shared by village idiots who spend all day in front of fox with a crate of bud.

these syntactic habits are not 'right' (in the sense of 'morally sanctioned') - but your habits of speech mark you as someone who is also likely to have habits of thought.

people who are used to serious, informed and committed debate tend to recognise each other by the way they speak. people who are used to drunken grunting ditto, ditto.

this is what we really mean when we talk about 'good' and 'bad' usage.

Answer 5

Like uniform or codified spelling, sentence construction and letter formation (writing/printing), uniform or codified speaking was instituted to facilitate communication.

Answer 6

Strunk and White

Answer 7

Society and linguists.

Answer 8

descendants of the Shakespearian era i suppose?

Answer 9

paradoxy