examples

three different forms

There are a few different ways that prescriptivism might pop up when you’re watching TV, reading a book, or even when you are out and about and see some graffiti.

You might see people correcting other people’s language use, or even correcting their own. It’s not ‘their’, it’s ‘there’. Don’t drop the Ts in ‘butter’ or the H in ‘hotel’.
You might see or hear people making positive or negative judgements about language use. Again this might be some else’s or their own.
Maybe it’s linking a certain accent to being posh or rich. Or a judgement about a person’s level of education based on their spelling. Or simply saying they like or dislike the way someone speaks.
You might also find examples of people judging prescriptivists, calling them pedants, perhaps, or praising them for protecting the language.

If you see anything that you think might be relevant, let me know about it using this form!

Shrinking (Apple tv+)

Jimmy: Ah man, this definitely reminds me of when you married Tia and I.

Liz: Tia and me.

Jimmy: Nobody cares, Liz.

Liz: Well it’s wrong.

The Great British Bake Off (Channel 4)

Alison: Welcome back to the tent, bakers. It's so good to see you all.

For this week it's desserts week,

or, if you're a little less posh like Paul, it's pudding week.

Slim pickin's (Sabrina carpenter song)

Jesus, what's a girl to do?

This boy doesn't even know

The difference between “there”, “their” and “they are”

Yet he's naked in my room

Missin' all the things he's missin'

Despicable Me 2

Gru’s date: Your accent is so exotic

Gru: Well, thank you very much. I was…

Gru’s date: I know someone who can fix that for you and you’ll be talking normal in no time

Engleby by Sebastian Faulks (2007)

“What else can I say about Mike? Well of course, he was a terrible pedant. He was always correcting you if you said ‘between you and I'.

And what was the other one that used to drive him up the wall? I forget. ‘Internecine’ maybe. Yes, I think I heard him go off on quite a rant about that. You know when people think it's a posh word for ‘internal’? I forgot what it really does mean now. Better ask Mike.

But of course none of these things made him very popular. People don't like being ticked off for their grammar especially when they're just trying to be friendly and thinking maybe Mike could have used a friend.” (p.283)

Game of Thrones

Stannis: Do your knuckle-bones bring you luck?

Davos: My life's been good since you hacked them off your grace, and it's four less finger nails to clean.

Stannis: Fewer.

Davos: Pardon?

Stannis: Four fewer finger nails to clean.

The Traitors

Charlotte: I'm from London where I am born and bred, I've been putting on a Welsh accent because my Mum's from Wales. It's one of the most trustworthy accents so in a game where we need people to trust each other, I need an accent that people can trust.

Only Connect

Contestant: I’m originally from San Antonio, Texas, but I also live in London now

Host: Oh you’ve got such a beautiful voice!