History of Grammar

	Revision 11 . . (edit) December 4, 2001 9:49 pm by Karl Palmen [Declension not declination]
	Revision 10 . . (edit) December 4, 2001 9:48 pm by Karl Palmen [Modify 'Conjugation' link]
	Revision 9 . . December 1, 2001 12:43 am by Dmerrill [importance of grammar as necessary for communication, emphasis from basic education through advanced, copyediting]
	Revision 8 . . (edit) November 30, 2001 11:40 pm by Karl Palmen [Add conjugation]
	Revision 7 . . November 30, 2001 11:01 pm by Karl Palmen [Start list of grammatical terms]
	Revision 6 . . November 30, 2001 3:39 am by Hannes Hirzel [link to 'Chomsky hierarchy']
	Revision 5 . . November 30, 2001 3:36 am by Hannes Hirzel [added link to 'Syntax']
	Revision 4 . . (edit) November 3, 2001 2:39 pm by ChuckSmith [fixed spelling errors]

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Difference (from prior major revision) (minor diff, author diff)

Changed: 1c1

Grammar is the study of rules that makes language coherent.

Grammar is the study of the rules which govern the use of a language. That set of rules is also called the language's grammar, and each language has its own, distinct grammar. An expert in that field of study is called a grammarian. Grammar falls within a larger set of studies which is called linguistics.

Changed: 3c3

It was developed by observation as the early languages were developed without anything other than the innate sense of grammar by which we learn human language when we are young. As the rules became established and developed the concept of grammatical correctness arose.

Speakers of a language follow that language's grammar as a common convention that makes the language coherent. Violation of the grammar makes one's speech ambiguous and difficult to understand. Because of its importance in facilitating communication, grammar is a primary focus in education from a young age through advanced learning.

Changed: 5c5

This can often create a gulf between contemporary usage and the form accepted as correct.

Most languages' grammars developed naturally over time through usage, as early languages lacked formal, written rules. Each speaker was required to develop an innate sense of grammar by observing usage.

Changed: 7c7,11

Artificial languages are more common in the modern day, whether they have been designed to aid human communication (Esperanto), created as part of a work of Fiction, (Klingon Language) or used for the purpose of computer programming (Java). Each of these artifical languages have their own grammar.

Formal grammars are codifications of the usages that were developed by observation. As the rules became established and developed the concept of grammatical correctness arose. This can often create a gulf between contemporary usage and the form accepted as correct. Each computer programming language also has a formal grammar which defines its use. Artificial languages are more common in the modern day, whether they have been designed to aid human communication (Esperanto), created as part of a work of Fiction, (Klingon Language and [Elvish language]?) or used for the purpose of computer programming (Java programming language). Each of these artifical languages have their own grammar.

Changed: 21c25,26

*conjugation

*conjugation *declension