descriptive linguistics

American  

noun

(used with a singular verb)

1. the study of the grammar, classification, and arrangement of the features of a language at a given time, without reference to the history of the language or comparison with other languages.

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descriptive linguistics British  

noun

1. Also called: synchronic linguistics.  (functioning as singular) the study of the description of the internal phonological, grammatical, and semantic structures of languages at given points in time without reference to their histories or to one another Compare historical linguistics

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Etymology

Origin of descriptive linguistics

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

At the center of the history is a raging debate over prescriptive vs. descriptive linguistics: Should grammar guides tell people how to speak or reflect the way they already do?

From Washington Post