Linguistic competence

The linguistic competence, including linguistic knowledge, in contrast to language ability ( performance) is, on the one hand a part of general cognitive ability, conceptualization, pattern recognition and categorization are the basis and on the other hand is generally the ability grammatically, orthographically and syntactically correct to formulate a statement content, also referred to as linguistic competence. The third part of the linguistic competence is the ability to adequately express in a social context (see also communicative competence).

" The faculty of speech is a central component of the cognitive system of humans. Their research provides insights into the nature of cognitive representations and processing of non-linguistic reality. "

Competence and performance

Noam Chomsky's distinction between competence as a general language ability and performance as an individual language use is linked to the Saussurean dichotomy of langue and parole.

Linguistic competence in this context includes the following capabilities:

  • A speaker can with a finite inventory of elements ( sounds, words ) and connection rules in the context of a performance in principle infinite number of different utterances produce.
  • A listener can with the acquired linguistic knowledge to understand utterances which he has never heard before, and despite certain differences ( eg in debate) identify the same significant remarks as such.
  • Speaker / listener can judge linguistic utterances in terms of their grammaticality, ambiguity and paraphrase relations.

Communicative Competence

In a broader sense is part of the linguistic competence, the particular frame of reference to express themselves shall think reasonable and that is to choose a reasonable and understandable for the respective participants in the verbal form of communication (eg: on a high utterance not in jargon or dialect to respond ) and also: to consider the meta-communicative context ( eg to react to an obviously humorous or satirical intentioned expression).

Propositional formula Grammar Orthography Contextualism Ferdinand de Saussure Standard language Humour Psycholinguistics
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