Normatif

Normatif, or normative, is an adjective used in multiple disciplines to describe norms, standards, or prescriptions that indicate how things ought to be, rather than how they are. The term derives from the Latin norma, meaning a rule or standard, and has been adopted in languages such as French, Dutch, Indonesian, Malay, and English.

In philosophy and ethics, normatif refers to normative statements and theories that express values, duties, or oughts. Examples include moral judgments like “one should tell the truth” or policy recommendations such as “governments ought to provide universal healthcare.” Normative ethics seeks principles for evaluating actions and guiding conduct, in contrast to descriptive statements that merely describe what people do or believe.

In law and political theory, normatif language is used to describe normative frameworks, standards, and authorities that prescribe rights, duties, or procedures. Legal norms define what is permissible, obligatory, or prohibited, shaping how institutions should operate and how individuals ought to behave within a legal system.

In linguistics, normatif or prescriptive grammar denotes rules that prescribe correct language usage, spelling, and syntax. This contrasts with descriptive grammar, which documents how language is actually used in practice.

In social sciences, normativity concerns the study of norms—canons of behavior, values, and expectations that guide social action. Critics of normative approaches argue that they can reflect power relations or cultural biases, while supporters contend that normativity provides essential standards for justice, coherence, and social coordination.

In everyday usage, normatif often functions as a synonym for norm-based standards or prescriptions, and it is closely related to terms such as norm, normativity, prescriptivism, and descriptive linguistics.