http://www.englishforums.com/English/GeneralEnglishVocabularyIdiom-Questions/Forum29.htmHelp with defining words and idioms, and new words and idioms that you've learntenXMOD (Build: 3615.29165)http://www.englishforums.com/English/HowPreserveKindsLanguages/jmnh/post.htm#48284Tue, 24 Mar 2009 19:00:05 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:48284matthewg0http://www.englishforums.com/English/HowPreserveKindsLanguages/jmnh/post.htm#48284http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments29-48284.xmlIn France, the Academie Francaise controls the prescription of the French language, with its board meeting, if I'm not mistaken, every Thursday to formulate new rules and words.http://www.englishforums.com/English/HowPreserveKindsLanguages/jmnh/post.htm#48238Tue, 24 Feb 2009 19:00:05 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:48238nona the brit1http://www.englishforums.com/English/HowPreserveKindsLanguages/jmnh/post.htm#48238http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments29-48238.xmlDifferent countries have different attitudes towards the preservation of their languages. My personal preference is for a descriptive rather than prescriptive system. In France, however, I understand that they have a prescriptive attitude, with tight controls over how the language is used and an official block on 'foreign' words being brought in to the language. I've even heard that there is a list of official baby names they have to stick to. This seems quite ridiculous and over-controlling. I'm not sure if the original question was about reviving/preserving dying languages though. this is a diffeent idea altogether. In Britain, although English is spoken throughout, you mustn't forget that there are other countries here apart...http://www.englishforums.com/English/HowPreserveKindsLanguages/jmnh/post.htm#48032Fri, 24 Apr 2009 18:00:05 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:48032matthewg2http://www.englishforums.com/English/HowPreserveKindsLanguages/jmnh/post.htm#48032http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments29-48032.xmlHi, I encourage you to register. The correct way to spell the word is grammar . There are two types of grammar teachers: prescriptive and descriptive . The grammar books you're used to are what linguists call prescriptive, in the way they prescribe rules for proper usage. For several hundred years, "grammar" was synonymous with "prescriptive grammar." You went to a book to get the official word: thou shalt not split infinitives , thou shalt not end sentences with prepositions . (This is presumably why you're reading this guide now: to find out what's "right" and what's "wrong.") Linguists today are justly dubious about such things, and most spend their time on descriptive grammars: descriptions of how people really speak and...http://www.englishforums.com/English/HowPreserveKindsLanguages/jmnh/post.htmTue, 24 Feb 2009 19:00:05 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:47913Guest3http://www.englishforums.com/English/HowPreserveKindsLanguages/jmnh/post.htmhttp://www.englishforums.com/English/comments29-47913.xmlAbout the revival of languages. On my options, it can occur in two ways. First, linguists can study moribund languages and seek to preserve the components of the language:the sounds, the vocabulary, the grammer, and the traditions. The second way is to teach children the language and have linguists advise on language maintenance. I also want to know your thought. Let's talk over!!