know-your-linguistic-philosophies
Explanation
The Joke
The comic is titled "Know Your Linguistic Philosophies" and presents three schools of thought about language using the analogy of gymnastics:
- Prescriptivist: "Language is like gymnastics. There are rules and standards, and those who fail to follow them should be chastised."
- Descriptivist: "Language is like gymnastics. There are lots of forms and none is preferable to any other."
- Pragmatist: "Language is like gymnastics. There isn't a best gymnastics, but many of you are really, really shitty at gymnastics."
The Humor
The prescriptivist vs. descriptivist debate is one of the most well-known arguments in linguistics. Prescriptivists insist on rigid rules; descriptivists argue that all language use is equally valid as long as it communicates. The comic introduces a third position -- the pragmatist -- that splits the difference in a blunt, funny way: there may not be one "correct" form of language, but that doesn't mean all language use is equally effective. Plenty of people are just bad at communicating. This appeals to the common frustration of people who find pure descriptivism too permissive but don't want to be grammar scolds either.
References
- Prescriptivism in linguistics holds that there are correct and incorrect ways to use language, based on established rules and standards.
- Descriptivism holds that linguistics should describe how language is actually used rather than prescribe how it should be used. All naturally occurring language forms are considered valid objects of study.
- Pragmatics is the branch of linguistics concerned with how context and practical considerations affect meaning and communication effectiveness.