We've been talking all term about language variation and change and how
both are natural to any living language. We've also talked about how
systematic variation between nonstandard and standard dialects of English
can often get labeled as "error" in the nonstandard dialect, as can incoming/new forms in a
language change.
Steven Pinker, in the discussion of a construction like "give Al Gore and I a chance," asserts: "When enough careful writers and speakers fail to do something that a pencil-and-paper analysis of syntax says they should, it may mean that it's the pencil-and-paper analysis that is wrong, not the speakers and writers" (99). But the discussion is in a chapter focused on "grammatical errors," and he goes on to say, "But for now, let's assume that the paper-and-pencil analysis is correct" (99).
Many if not all of us have spent years in educational
systems that have relied on a discourse of error when it comes to
writing, if not also speech. So let me raise the question: Is
there such a thing as a "grammatical error"? Are there other things
speakers/writers do with the language that could be categorized as
"error"? Let's focus on English, both spoken and written.
I look forward to hearing/reading your thoughts.
