preskriptivismi

Preskriptivismi, commonly known as prescriptivism, is a term used in linguistics and philosophy of language to describe an approach that prescribes how language should be used, rather than merely recording how it is used (descriptivism).

In linguistics, preskriptivism establishes normative rules for grammar, punctuation, and style, often issued by grammarians, editors, and style guides. Proponents argue that such rules promote clarity, precision, and cultural tradition; critics contend they are arbitrary, hinder natural language change, and reflect social biases. Typical examples include avoiding ending sentences with prepositions, avoiding split infinitives, and insisting on pronoun case in formal contexts.

In ethics, prescriptivism refers to a meta-ethical theory associated with R. M. Hare and others, which holds that moral judgments function as universalizable prescriptions that express approval or disapproval and guide action, rather than simple factual statements. It emphasizes the prescriptive force of moral language and seeks to ground moral reasoning in rational consistency.

Historians note that prescriptivism has shaped education, publishing, and standard languages, though descriptivist and sociolinguistic analyses have challenged its authority. In contemporary use, prescriptivism often coexists with descriptive methods and remains influential in formal writing, language policy, and discussions of linguistic norms. See also descriptivism, grammar, ethical prescriptivism.