Folk linguistics

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Folk linguistics consists of statements, beliefs, or practices concerning language which are based on uninformed speculation rather than based on the scientific method, which characterizes the modern field of linguistics. Folk linguistics sometimes arises when scientific conclusions about language come off as counterintuitive to native speakers. [1] [2] However, folk linguistics may also be motivated by confirmation bias, prejudice, ideology, [1] or nationalism. [2]

Contents

Examples

Jackendoff (2003) [3] cites the following statements as typical examples of folk-linguistic beliefs.

Other beliefs may include:

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Gröschel, Bernhard (2009). Das Serbokroatische zwischen Linguistik und Politik: mit einer Bibliographie zum postjugoslavischen Sprachenstreit[Serbo-Croatian Between Linguistics and Politics: With a Bibliography of the Post-Yugoslav Language Dispute]. Lincom Studies in Slavic Linguistics (in German). Vol. 34. Munich: Lincom Europa. pp. 147, 312–329. ISBN   978-3-929075-79-3. LCCN   2009473660. OCLC   428012015. OL   15295665W.
  2. 1 2 Kordić, Snježana (2010). Jezik i nacionalizam [Language and Nationalism](PDF). Rotulus Universitas (in Serbo-Croatian). Zagreb: Durieux. pp. 116–119. doi:10.2139/ssrn.3467646. ISBN   978-953-188-311-5. LCCN   2011520778. OCLC   729837512. OL   15270636W. CROSBI 475567 . Archived (PDF) from the original on June 1, 2012. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
  3. 1 2 Jackendoff, Ray (November 5–8, 2003). The Structure of Language: Why It Matters to Education (PDF). Learning and the Brain. Cambridge, MA. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 9, 2021.
  4. 1 2 3 "Linguistic Purism in Germany - Folk Linguistics". Department of German. University of Bristol. Archived from the original on October 30, 2005.
  5. McRae, Mary Ann (September 6, 1996). "A fishy name will stay the same". CNN. Fishkill, NY. Archived from the original on October 29, 2014.

Further reading