There are a plethora of theoretical and practical views about the meaning, function and understanding of grammar. .These views often conflict, while there are also numerous areas of intersection and comparison. This paper will focus on two of the main theoretical trajectories in contemporary understanding of what grammar is.; namely the formalist-mentalist and functionalist views. .

             It may however be cogent to firstly discuss various underlying definitions and views of the meaning of grammar as these fundaments tend to provide an avenue of understanding of the central theories involved. The word grammar derived from grammatike or grammatike techne, which in classical Greek meant "the art of writing." ( Ezzaher, Lahcen E. 2001) .

             It is important to note that the meaning of 'grammar' was originally focused on "writing" and not speech. This is a crucial aspect as many of the contending linguistic and grammatical theories tend to privilege writing over speech in their understanding of what grammar essentially is. This factor can also be brought to bear in an understanding of the underling difference between the formalist and functionalist approach - as will be discussed in this paper. .

             The primacy of writing over speech therefore can be seen as starting point in understanding the different views on grammar. .

             in a widely literate society such as ours, we are presented with the challenge of the primacy of writing over speech. Current spoken language, particularly in the academy, is subjected to the rules of traditional grammar. Secondly, written language is the language of education and power. .

             ( Ezzaher, Lahcen E. 2001) .

             The fact that ".grammatical correctness is presented as a body of rules normalizing language use," and that "Such rules come from outside of the form of discourse to be added to it ." ( ibid) is a pointer, for example, of much of the underlying thought of the formalist approach to the meaning of grammar.