1. Grammatical Competence:
* Phonology: The ability to recognize and produce the sounds of a language (e.g., knowing that "th" is a distinct sound in English).
* Morphology: The ability to understand and manipulate word formation (e.g., knowing how to form plurals, tenses, and different parts of speech).
* Syntax: The ability to understand and produce grammatical sentences (e.g., knowing the correct word order in a sentence).
* Lexicon: The knowledge of words and their meanings (e.g., knowing the definition of "ubiquitous").
2. Pragmatic Competence:
* Sociolinguistics: The ability to understand and use language appropriately in different social contexts (e.g., knowing how to address a friend differently than a professor).
* Discourse: The ability to understand and produce coherent and meaningful stretches of language (e.g., knowing how to tell a story or follow a conversation).
* Prosody: The ability to use intonation, stress, and rhythm to convey meaning (e.g., knowing how to sound surprised or sarcastic).
* Speech Acts: The ability to use language to perform actions (e.g., making a request, giving a command, making a promise).
3. Semantic Competence:
* Vocabulary: The ability to understand and use a wide range of words (e.g., knowing the difference between "happy" and "elated").
* Conceptual Understanding: The ability to understand the meaning of words and phrases in relation to the real world (e.g., knowing that "sun" is a star and "rain" is water).
* Figurative Language: The ability to understand and use metaphors, idioms, and other figurative expressions (e.g., knowing that "raining cats and dogs" doesn't mean actual animals).
4. Strategic Competence:
* Repair: The ability to correct errors in communication (e.g., asking for clarification or rephrasing).
* Compensation: The ability to use language creatively to overcome communication challenges (e.g., using gestures or drawing a picture).
* Metacognitive Awareness: The ability to reflect on one's own language use and make adjustments as needed (e.g., knowing when to simplify language for a younger audience).
It's important to note: These categories are not always distinct, and there is often overlap between them. For example, understanding how to use a particular word (lexical competence) can be influenced by its social connotations (sociolinguistic competence).
Linguistic competence is a complex and dynamic skill that develops over time through exposure to language and interaction with others. It is essential for effective communication and for successful participation in society.