Different Aspects in Grammar

Different Aspects in Grammar

I interviewed a professor in the Spanish linguistics department at Oregon State University, and this was what he had to say about grammar:

The main focus in the interview was that he viewed grammar in a different aspect. Only a portion of language is grammar, and his views were that grammar accuracy improves over time. There is a big difference in his department, with the first and second language speakers. He explained that in Chompsky’s model of Universal Grammar, that all humans have correct grammar engraved in them. There are just many switches, and knobs that can be turned, to make language seem different. For example, the differences in language from Oregon to southern Californian slang, or the language presented in the South are just some of these switches that have been altered. He believes that students do have a good grasp on grammar in their native language. For example: Americans have a good grasp of the English language, and native Spanish speakers have that grasp in Spanish. But when it is mixed up from Americans knowing Spanish, and native Spanish speakers knowing in English those circumstances change.
Another main focus in the interview, was his thought on how natives don’t make errors in speaking correctly. Any mishaps that happen are based on certain circumstances for example: being tired, drunk or distracted, cause those mishaps. But pattern errors are signals that language is changing. One example being the change in using will vs. shall, and was vs. were. The “Academic Standard” is based from the elitist, white, protestant males who created it. Forcing everyone to follow with this is wrong, but it the only model we currently have. The only difference is it is necessary for writing formal papers, which makes is almost a necessary evil we have. His views to the lack of effective communication and whether it matters, was that adhering to these overly rigid standards is impeding. And that the approach he uses is by being a linguist, it is academic discipline.
Overall, his main view was that we, as humans already know grammar. It is engraved in us, only with those minor differences based on the knobs and switches moving. Within his department, it is hard to grade on grammar, due to the differences in language skills in knowing a second language. People, who are learning a second language, don’t have the experiences of hearing in everyday; therefore, they don’t have the necessary tools in having that perfect grammar that is inherent within us.
-Lindsay Horsley