Descriptive linguistics is the study of how language is used in real-life situations, focusing on the actual speech and writing of people rather than prescribing rules. It aims to document and analyze the various ways languages are structured and function, including grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. This field contrasts with prescriptive linguistics, which sets rules for how language should be used. Descriptive linguists often collect data from diverse sources, such as conversations, literature, and media, to understand the natural variations and changes in language over time.