Which term deals with knowledge of language including syntax and semantics and is distinct from the ability to use language socially?

Which term deals with knowledge of language including syntax and semantics and is distinct from the ability to use language socially?

• A. Linguistic competence
• B. Discourse competence
• C. Strategic competence
• D. Transformations

Answer: (A)

Knowledge of language that covers syntax and semantics is called linguistic competence. It refers to the mental knowledge of a language’s rules for how words combine to form sentences and what those sentences mean. This centers on how language is structured and understood, not on how you actually use language in social situations. Using language effectively in social contexts relies on sociolinguistic or pragmatic competence, which goes beyond knowing the rules of grammar and meaning. Other terms map to different ideas: discourse competence deals with connecting ideas across longer stretches of talk or text; strategic competence involves choosing and applying strategies to keep communication going when problems arise; transformations come from a theoretical view of how sentence structures can be rearranged.

Knowledge of language that covers syntax and semantics is called linguistic competence. It refers to the mental knowledge of a language’s rules for how words combine to form sentences and what those sentences mean. This centers on how language is structured and understood, not on how you actually use language in social situations. Using language effectively in social contexts relies on sociolinguistic or pragmatic competence, which goes beyond knowing the rules of grammar and meaning. Other terms map to different ideas: discourse competence deals with connecting ideas across longer stretches of talk or text; strategic competence involves choosing and applying strategies to keep communication going when problems arise; transformations come from a theoretical view of how sentence structures can be rearranged.