Deskriptivnost

Deskriptivnost is a term used in Czech and Slovak to denote the descriptive approach or descriptivism, particularly in linguistics and the social sciences. It refers to an orientation toward describing phenomena as they are observed, rather than prescribing how they should be.

In linguistics, deskriptivnost stands in contrast to preskriptivnost (prescriptivism). Descriptive linguistics analyzes language based on data gathered from real usage, including phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and sociolinguistic variation. It aims to produce descriptions, grammars, and dictionaries that reflect how people actually speak and write in various contexts, not judgments about correctness.

Methodologically, deskriptivnost relies on data collection through fieldwork, corpora, and observational studies, along with systematic analysis to uncover patterns, variation, and language change over time. It emphasizes descriptive adequacy—the accuracy with which a description matches language behavior—over normative adequacy.

Beyond linguistics, deskriptivnost is associated with empirical, data-driven approaches in other fields that document how phenomena occur, contributing to education, lexicography, and policy by describing usage rather than prescribing rules. It is often contrasted with preskriptivní normativita in contexts like language teaching and media, where standards are articulated for normative purposes.

Critiques focus on finding a balance between faithful description and social or pedagogical aims, ensuring that descriptive accounts do not normalize harmful or illogical practices, and recognizing that descriptions may require interpretation within particular communities.