Language change is deterioration

LING 100: PERSUASIVE ESSAY II: UPLOAD TO DROPBOX BY MIDNIGHT ON 3-23-23 (PLEASE RESPOND TO BOTH CLAIMS)

Purpose of this assignment is for you to demonstrate that you have read the assigned readings and understood the major issues discussed under Claim 3: “Language Change is Deterioration” and Claim 4: “Certain Varieties of English are Better than Others”. You will weigh evidence & arguments presented & persuade your reader regarding your position

Claim 3: Language Change is Deterioration (750-1000 words; about 2-3 pages, doublespaced).

Based on information provided in the readings and issues raised in class, address the following:

Every subsystem of language changes over time. Please briefly describe (and give examples) of at least 3 ways that languages change and how different populations may disagree with how those changes should be perceived: this includes the nature of the change (details), whether the change is natural (evolutionary) or planned (an external change), and the different responses to the change.

Claim 4: Certain Varieties of English are Better than Others CHOOSE ONE: EITHER A or B (750-1000 words; about 2-3 pages, doublespaced)

The following sentences from Myth 12 (Language Myths) are considered slovenly (‘sloppy’ or ‘careless’) or ‘bad grammar’ by some people: 1) Who am I speaking to? 2) Martha’s 2 children are completely different to/than each other; 3)I want to quickly visit the library; 4) A good author needs to develop a clear sense of who she is writing for; 5) Me & Andy went out to the park; Was you watching the game when the rain started? According to the reading (identify page numbers), what is the justification or reasoning used to label each of these sentences ‘bad grammar’ or ‘unacceptable’?

Those who label the above sentences ‘unacceptable’ or ‘bad grammar’ are accused, by linguists, of being guilty of applying “prescriptive grammar rules” to these sentences. Linguists prefer to apply “descriptive grammar rules” in deciding whether a sentence is acceptable or unacceptable. What do prescriptive and descriptive grammar rules mean? What is the difference between the two?

Are you in favor of using prescriptive or descriptive grammar rules? Why?

B)

The article “Ten Reasons Why Texting Is Awful for Society” identified 10 reasons why texting is bad for society. Select 3 of those reasons. Provide an account of what the author says about these reasons. Do you agree or disagree with the author for these 3 reasons? Why?

The Beachboard articles (“Texting: the Good, the Bad, & the Ugly”; “Instant & Text Messaging – The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly”, “Computer-Mediated Communication: Pros & Cons”) and the John McWhorter video identified some advantages associated with texting. State 1 advantage mentioned (or ways texting is not causing deterioration) in each of 3 articles and/or the video (3 advantages in all). Identify the article/video from which each example is selected. Provide an account of what the authors say about these advantages (or lack of harm to the language). Do you agree or disagree with the authors about these advantages? Why?
some sources: https://www.arrantpedantry.com/2018/05/09/is-change-okay-or-not/https://www.arrantpedantry.com/2018/05/09/is-change-okay-or-not/
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/12/why-latinx-cant-catch-on/603943/https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/12/why-latinx-cant-catch-on/603943/

https://thoughtcatalog.com/alexia-lafata/2014/01/10-reasons-why-texting-is-awful-for-society-and-ruining-it-too/https://thoughtcatalog.com/alexia-lafata/2014/01/10-reasons-why-texting-is-awful-for-society-and-ruining-it-too/https://thoughtcatalog.com/alexia-lafata/2014/01/10-reasons-why-texting-is-awful-for-society-and-ruining-it-too/

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