Discuss the definition of Language and the linguistic concepts of competence and performance.

INTRODUCTION

Many linguists agree that there is no all-encompassing definition of Language. However, language is generally described as a system of sounds used to link sound using words and sentences to meaning (Finegan & Besnier 1989, p. 1).

Language can be described as a symbolic system in which sounds and meanings are assigned to each other, allowing humans to communicate what we are thinking and how we are feeling. In other words, there is an arbitrary aspect of language with meanings assigned to words and sounds. As native speakers of a language, we know that words are arbitrarily given meaning to express ideas.

For example, a book is only a book because we have assigned that specific meaning to the sound and word book. The word for book could have been any other word. Native speakers have the knowledge to realize that the connection between words, sounds and meanings are not a natural one. Sounds represent objects. Context also helps us to interpret the meaning of utterances.

COMPETENCE AND PERFORMANCE

Noam Chomsky introduced two terms, referred to as competence and performance. According to Chomsky, competence refers to a native speaker 's knowledge of a language (Finch 2000, p.17). As native speakers of English, for example, we have linguistic competence of the English language sounds, sentence structures and word meanings. This knowledge allows speakers to speak the language fluently.

However, this knowledge is for the most part subconscious and, as a result, the speaker does not always realize that they have this knowledge. As an example, I can jump, dance and run very easily. However, I cannot explain the neuro-science involved that makes these physical actions possible. How native speakers possess this knowledge and use it to speak a language is similar to the above example. Finch ( 2000, p.17), explains that, "All English speakers, for example, will know the rules for forming questions, statements, and commands, but, unless they have studied SYNTAX, will probably be unable to say what they are."

Competence is broken down into 2 types, grammatical and communicative. Grammatical competence concerns itself with the ability of a speaker to speak and understand a language fluently. This involves knowledge of a grammatical system. As speakers of a language, we know how to pronounce words properly and to form sentences and how to assign meaning to words (Finch 2000, p. 18).

The second component of competence is communicative competence. Communicative competence describes the ability to use the knowledge that we have of a language to actually communicate effectively. For example, communicative competence relates to the ability to create well formed sentences that are appropriate when responding to others and knowing how and when to abbreviate utterances (Finch 2000, p.18).

CONCLUSION

Finally, it is also important to stress that human language, unlike animal language, is creative. Human language has a finite set of rules that allow people to create an infinite set of linguistic patterns that, for the most part, have not been created or heard of before. Animal language is not as creative as human language and is often stimulus driven. As well, Chomsky views language as something that is biologically and genetically inherited in humans (Finch 2000).

List of References Cited

Finch, G. (2000) Linguistic Terms and Concepts (New York: Palgrave).

Finch, G. (1998) How to Study Linguistics (London: Macmillan).

Finegan, E, and Besinger, N. (1989) Language: Its Structure and Use (New York: Harcourt Brace).

Fromkin, V. and Rodoman, R. (1993) An Introduction to Language (New York: Harcourt Brace).

References: Cited Finch, G. (2000) Linguistic Terms and Concepts (New York: Palgrave). Finch, G. (1998) How to Study Linguistics (London: Macmillan). Finegan, E, and Besinger, N. (1989) Language: Its Structure and Use (New York: Harcourt Brace). Fromkin, V. and Rodoman, R. (1993) An Introduction to Language (New York: Harcourt Brace).