Which term refers to the ability to recognize and repair communication breakdowns?

Which term refers to the ability to recognize and repair communication breakdowns?

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

Answer: (A)

Strategic competence is the ability to use communication strategies to keep a conversation going and to fix problems when understanding breaks down. In real interaction, misunderstandings happen, and a speaker with strategic competence can notice the gap and repair it by paraphrasing, repeating, rephrasing, simplifying, asking for clarification, or using nonverbal cues. This skill helps learners communicate effectively even when their grammar or vocabulary isn’t perfect, because they can still ensure mutual understanding by adjusting how they convey meaning. Discourse competence is about organizing ideas across sentences and turns to make coherent, connected talk. Linguistic competence is knowledge of vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation. Epenthesis is a phonological process of inserting a sound within a word. None of these focus specifically on recognizing and repairing communication breakdowns like strategic competence does.

Strategic competence is the ability to use communication strategies to keep a conversation going and to fix problems when understanding breaks down. In real interaction, misunderstandings happen, and a speaker with strategic competence can notice the gap and repair it by paraphrasing, repeating, rephrasing, simplifying, asking for clarification, or using nonverbal cues. This skill helps learners communicate effectively even when their grammar or vocabulary isn’t perfect, because they can still ensure mutual understanding by adjusting how they convey meaning.

Discourse competence is about organizing ideas across sentences and turns to make coherent, connected talk. Linguistic competence is knowledge of vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation. Epenthesis is a phonological process of inserting a sound within a word. None of these focus specifically on recognizing and repairing communication breakdowns like strategic competence does.