Proper Use of the Archaic Second Person Singular (Thou)

[PureX]

Actually, all language is governed by rules even if those rules ...

That we all ignore. And then break. Which then creates new "rules" that we all ignore, and then break. Grammar is the perpetual pursuer, not the guide.

 

[Secret Chief]

Thine overthunk it methinks.

 

[Glaurung]

That we all ignore. And then break. Which then creates new "rules" that we all ignore, and then break. Grammar is the perpetual pursuer, not the guide.

I think grammar is the wrong word. All language has structure. All languages without exception will follow predictable patterns of syntax and phonology. What those patterns are differ from language to language and within a language are subject to change over time. But you cannot have a language devoid of structure otherwise communication would be impossible.

There's no fundamental rule of human language that requires pronouns to have case distinctions. There's no fundamental rule of human language that requires verbs to express tense. Chinese lacks both features and it gets along just fine. But you cannot have a language with no means of determining subjects from objects even if the distinction is made by syntax alone.

 

[PureX]

I think grammar is the wrong word. All language has structure. All languages without exception will follow predictable patterns of syntax and phonology. What those patterns are differ from language to language and are also subject to change over time, but you cannot have a language devoid of structure otherwise communication would be impossible.

Language structure is not a set of rules. It's a functional paradigm needed to allow for different and subtle contexts.