Here's a breakdown of how "grammatical competence" is used in different theories:
1. Chomsky's Theory of Universal Grammar:
* Key idea: Humans are born with an innate understanding of language structure, called Universal Grammar (UG). This innate knowledge allows us to acquire the grammar of our native language quickly and efficiently.
* Grammatical competence: In this theory, grammatical competence refers to the implicit knowledge of the rules of a language. It's the subconscious understanding of how language works that enables us to produce and understand grammatically correct sentences.
2. Communicative Competence:
* Key idea: Language is not just about grammatical rules; it's about using language effectively in different social contexts. This includes understanding social norms, cultural cues, and pragmatic aspects of communication.
* Grammatical competence: In this theory, grammatical competence is considered one component of communicative competence. It is crucial, but it's not the only factor that determines successful communication.
3. Interlanguage Theory:
* Key idea: Second language learners develop their own intermediate language system, known as interlanguage, as they acquire the target language. This system is constantly evolving and influenced by the learner's first language and their exposure to the target language.
* Grammatical competence: This theory analyzes how learners develop their grammatical competence in the target language. It examines the errors learners make, the stages of development, and the strategies they use to acquire grammar.
In summary:
* Grammatical competence is a central concept in linguistics and language acquisition, referring to an individual's knowledge of the grammatical rules of a language.
* Different theories explore the nature of grammatical competence and its role in language acquisition and use.
* Chomsky's Universal Grammar emphasizes the innate nature of grammatical knowledge, while communicative competence theory views it as one component of effective communication.
* Interlanguage theory focuses on how learners develop their grammatical competence in a second language.
To understand the concept of grammatical competence more fully, you'll need to explore these and other related theories in detail.