Linguistic Prescription vs Description

Linguistic prescription is the creation of rules defined by publicly preferred usage. It’s how the “correct” rules of usage is enforced rather than how it is actually spoken (descriptive).

For example, in the classroom, English language tend to be more prescriptive. Teacher enforces students to abide by the rules of english grammar, while outside the classroom, students would not use a complete grammar structure to communicate.

Other than that, Indonesian language is very descriptive. We don’t follow rules even a slight. Indonesians don’t follow SPOK for daily conversation, therefore foreigners who tried to learn Indonesian language often feel confused when talking to a person using daily Indonesian language.

We don’t say “Apakah kamu ingin makan?” We say:

• Kamu mau makan?
• Mau makan ga kamu?
• Makan ga kamu?
• Makan?
• Mau makan?

Above sentences contain the same meaning, but the way of expression is different.