Grammar: Your Trusty Pal

Think of grammar as the framework of a language. You might’ve heard people call grammar the “rules” of a language, but honestly, no language has strict rules*. It’s as if we’re imagining that someone came up with these rules first, and then folks started speaking the language like it’s some kind of brand-new game. But that’s not how languages began.

They sprouted from people making sounds that grew into words, phrases, and sentences. No widely spoken language ever stays put. They all change over time. So, grammar is just a snapshot of a language at a certain moment.

Do You Need Grammar?

Now, do we need to study grammar to learn a language? In a nutshell, “nope”. Loads of people around the world speak their native language without ever studying its grammar. Kids start yakking away before they even know what “grammar” means.

But if you’re dead set on learning a foreign language (not your native one), the long answer is “Yep, grammar can give you a leg up in learning a language faster and more effectively.” It’s key to see grammar as a helpful buddy. When you get the hang of a language’s grammar (or system), you can figure out loads of stuff on your own, without needing to bug a teacher or crack open a book.

So, think of grammar as a good thing, something upbeat, and something you can rely on to guide you like a trusty signpost or a map.