Grammar is important in the lives of individuals, primarily for communication purposes. With the correct usage of grammar, one is in a position to express himself or herself. Grammar can either be prescriptive and descriptive grammar. The structure of a language as used by writers and speakers defines descriptive grammar. On the other hand, the structure of a language as people think it should be used defines prescriptive grammar (Bickley, 2001, p.4). Certain rules are applicable for each of the two categories of grammar. There are certain rules that are used in each case and there are certain institutions that regulate the use of languages. For example, the Academie Francaise which is a French institution that safeguards the French language, its richness and heritage.
There are other institutions that have been formed to regulate certain languages so that writers and speakers can use them in an effective way. Such institutions determine the standards of acceptable grammar and vocabulary that can be used in the language. They also add new words to the language, in effect helping it. Consequently, this adds meaning to the language. In addition to adding new words and meanings, such institutions also help in adding new definitions to existing words. These institutions make all words in a language available to the speakers and writes of a language. This gives the speakers and writers choices of words, thereby enabling them to express themselves with clarity.
Institutions that moderate the use of grammar in a certain language are worthwhile because they provide the structure of a language as it should be used. This means that a specific language can have different structures that are meant to give the same meaning but there is only one structure that is accepted to be grammatically correct. For example, there are certain words that a descriptive language accepts to be a noun and a verb at the same time. Prescriptive language confirms whether such words can be used only as a noun or a verb or can be used in both cases. If it is possible for a word to be used both as a noun and as a verb, these institutions show instances when the word should be used as a noun and when to be used as a verb (Crystal, 2000, p.47).
Society benefits from institutions that regulate the use of a language in that the institution educates them on how to structure a language so that it is grammatically acceptable. The books that such institutions provide are meant to benefit individuals in the society where the language is used. Teachers use such books to guide students on the correct use of grammar (Lowth, 2002, para.2). This helps individuals in the society to express themselves in the correct manner when writing or speaking in the language.
These institutions have many advantages to society but they can prevent the development of informal writing in the society. There are certain languages that develop in society as individuals interact. These institutions will mostly refute these languages as unacceptable.
By defining the structure of a language that is grammatically accepted, these institutions help in preserving a language. Adding new meanings to existing word while still maintaining previous definitions helps in maintaining the heritage of the language. The institutions ensure that the structure of the language that was used and acceptable many years ago is still in existence.
Reference
Bickley, A. T. (2001). Descriptive and Prescriptive Grammar in Language Study. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Crystal, D. (2000). Words on Words: Quotations about Language and Languages. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Lowth, R. (2002). Descriptive versus Prescriptive Grammar. Web.