In this third episode of Language, Law and Order, hosts Morana Lukač, Linda Pillière, and Ingrid Tieken are joined by guests Eline Lismont and Rick Vosters from Vrije Universiteit Brussel. Building on themes from previous episodes, they explore the evolving landscape of linguistic prescriptivism through the lens of Dutch. From spelling shifts to grammatical debates, the episode unpacks how language norms emerge, spread, and sometimes fail—revealing the complex forces behind standardization and language change.

Episode highlights:

• What Is Prescriptivism, Really? Eline and Rick open the discussion by defining prescriptivism not just as a set of rules, but as a broader ideology tied to power, identity, and social norms.
• Institutional vs. Everyday Prescriptivism: The guests discuss how prescriptive norms emerge both from formal institutions—like grammar books and schools—and informal contexts, such as a parent correcting a child’s speech.
• Dutch in Focus: Through case studies from their research, Eline and Rick show how prescriptive norms have influenced Dutch orthography and grammar, including the now-standard “AA” spelling and the long-standing groter dan vs. groter als debate.
• What Makes Norms Stick? Eline shares insights from her PhD work on why some language norms catch on while others fade. Simplicity, visibility, and uptake in printed texts all play a role.
• Failures Matter Too: Rick highlights how failed standardization efforts—like accent spellings that never caught on—offer valuable insight into the limits of linguistic authority.
• Standardization and the State: The conversation also touches on how language standardization in the Netherlands was tied to nation-building, culminating in the early 19th-century reforms by Siegenbeek (spelling) and Weiland (grammar).

Linguistics fun fact:

Did you know? The once-popular groter als construction in Dutch nearly replaced groter dan—until grammarians pushed back and reversed the trend.