When I was in elementary school, it seemed that I did a lot wrong. The way I spoke, wrote my letters, and wrote sentences were deemed ‘incorrect’ by many teachers at that time. What I find funny looking back on it is that I tried to correct myself – and I would, but I would always go back to the way I originally spoke. My writing improved over time with different teachers assigning work that challenged the way I wrote, but my language is still just the way I talk. When I speak I sometimes stutter, have a hard time finding the words I wanna say, and pause for a moment before speaking. I also very rarely shift the way I speak depending on who I am speaking to. For the most part, I will speak to a friend the same way I may speak to a manager or teacher – not in a bad way or anything, but in a way that is comforting and casual. Using certain words in sentences may spark a foul look amongst people; for example when people say “ain’t” or use “was” instead of “were.” I.e. “You was there with me and we ain’t got no more.” This sentence is perfectly understandable. If a sentence or phrase is understandable, then why must it be deemed incorrect? The question lies in whether the vocabulary follows the correct grammar laws or if it’s ‘incorrect’ – at least that’s what my teachers told me. Finally, prescriptivism gives power to the speaker and allows them to function the vocabulary to their likeness. I confide in prescriptivism because I’m able to get my point across without worrying about what grammar laws I may break.