Image by LearnAlberta.ca from https://www.learnalberta.ca/content/eslapb/understanding_the_acquisition_language_in_stages_working_towards.html
Different types of competence:
1 .Linguistic Competence (語言能力): This refers to having a solid understanding of the grammar, syntax, vocabulary, and phonology of a language. It's about knowing the structural elements that make up a language.
Example: Emily effortlessly constructs grammatically correct sentences using appropriate verb tenses, subject-verb agreement, and vocabulary in her writing.
* Grammatical Competence (語法能力): This is a subset of linguistic competence and focuses specifically on the understanding and application of grammatical rules within a language. It involves knowing how to correctly conjugate verbs, form tenses, use pronouns, and structure sentences.
2. Strategic Competence (策略能力): This involves the ability to use communication strategies to navigate(導航) challenging situations, such as dealing with misunderstandings or choosing appropriate words when faced with a communication gap. It means being able to get one's message across through use of repetition, volume, circumlocution, transfer.
Example: When her friend misunderstands a message, Alex skillfully rephrases the information using simpler language, ensuring the message is accurately conveyed.
3. Sociolinguistic Competence (社會語言能力): This involves understanding and navigating the social and cultural norms of a language community. It includes using language appropriately in various social settings and understanding the cultural nuances that impact communication.
*Dealing with the ability to use language in a manner that is socially and culturally appropriate, accounting for variations in speech and communication norms within different communities and contexts.
Example: When visiting a foreign country, John learns to bow as a sign of respect and avoids using overly direct language, demonstrating his understanding of cultural norms.
4. Discourse Competence (語篇能力): This focuses on the ability to engage in effective conversations, considering aspects like turn-taking, topic coherence(連貫性), cohesive (凝聚力) and appropriate language use within a specific context.
Example: In a business meeting, Sarah smoothly transitions from one topic to another while considering others' input, ensuring the conversation remains coherent and focused.
Image by Communicative Competence and its four Components from https://youtu.be/A4M1a60t-UU?si=vVH-UL1piPJaD8Wx
5. Pragmatic Competence (語用能力): Pragmatic competence involves understanding the social and cultural context of language use. It includes the ability to use language appropriately in different situations, considering factors such as politeness, tone, and the expectations of the interlocutors.
*Pragmatic competence deals with the ability to convey meaning effectively and appropriately within a specific context, considering factors like speaker intentions (意圖) and listener expectations.
7. Cultural Competence (文化能力): Cultural competence in language education involves understanding the cultural nuances, customs, and beliefs associated with the language being learned. It helps learners navigate intercultural interactions and communicate respectfully and effectively.
8. Interpersonal Competence (人際能力): Interpersonal competence focuses on the ability to establish and maintain relationships through language. This includes skills such as active listening, empathy, and understanding nonverbal cues.
9. Cognitive Competence (認知能力): Cognitive competence pertains to the cognitive processes involved in language learning and use. This includes memory, problem-solving, and the ability to analyze and synthesize information in the target language.
10. Affective Competence (情感能力): Affective competence refers to the emotional and attitudinal aspects of language learning and use. It involves factors such as motivation, confidence, and willingness to engage in communication.
13. Semantic competence(語義能力) you understand the meaning of the words.
*Chomsky Actional Competence(行動能力) involves the following components:
This relates to using language to accomplish specific tasks or goals. It involves knowing how to express oneself in various practical situations, such as giving directions, making requests, or ordering food.
Example: Maria effectively negotiates the terms of a contract with a client using persuasive language and clear explanations to ensure mutual understanding.
Linguistic Knowledge and Skills: This refers to the language resources needed to perform specific tasks, including vocabulary, grammar, and syntax.
Sociocultural Knowledge (社會文化知識): Understanding the cultural norms, social expectations, and context in which the communication task is taking place.
Pragmatic Knowledge (語用知識): Knowing how to use language appropriately in different contexts and situations, including the ability to vary language use based on the communicative purpose and the audience.
Strategic Knowledge: Awareness of various strategies that can be employed to accomplish communication goals, such as asking for clarification or using paraphrasing.
Actional Language Use: Applying linguistic resources, cultural understanding, and pragmatic skills to achieve effective communication in various contexts, tasks, and situations.
In essence, Actional Competence is about being able to use language to achieve real-world goals and tasks, such as ordering food, making travel arrangements, participating in meetings, or writing formal letters. It involves not only linguistic knowledge but also the ability to navigate social and cultural nuances to successfully accomplish communication objectives.
What's the difference between Socio-cultural competence (社會文化能力)and Intercultural competence (跨文化能力)
1.Socio-cultural competence focuses on understanding and navigating the norms, values, and behaviors within a specific culture or social group.
2.Intercultural competence extends beyond a single culture and involves the ability to effectively interact, communicate, and bridge differences between multiple cultures.
What's the difference between Pragmatic Competence and Sociolinguistic Competence?
1. Pragmatic Competence:
Pragmatic competence refers to an individual's ability to use language in context, considering various factors such as the speaker's intentions, the listener's expectations, and the social and cultural norms governing communication.
It involves understanding and using language beyond its literal meaning, including the use of implicatures, speech acts (like requests, apologies, compliments), and indirect communication.
Pragmatic competence helps people convey their messages effectively, avoid misunderstandings, and adapt their language to different situations and interlocutors.
2. Sociolinguistic Competence:
Sociolinguistic competence, on the other hand, pertains to an individual's ability to use language in ways that are socially appropriate within a particular speech community or cultural context.
It includes knowledge of the social and cultural norms associated with language use, such as variations in speech, dialects, accents, and the use of different registers (formal, informal, colloquial, etc.).
Sociolinguistic competence enables individuals to navigate (導航/引導) the complexities of communication in different social and cultural settings, allowing them to adapt their language to fit the expectations of their audience.
In summary, while both pragmatic competence and sociolinguistic competence are essential for effective communication, they focus on different aspects of language use.
Pragmatic competence deals with the ability to convey meaning effectively and appropriately within a specific context, considering factors like speaker intentions and listener expectations.
Sociolinguistic competence, on the other hand, deals with the ability to use language in a manner that is socially and culturally appropriate, accounting for variations in speech and communication norms within different communities and contexts.
Extra practice:
Comments