Which term describes knowledge of spelling, pronunciation, vocabulary, word formation, grammatical structure, sentence structure and meaning?

Which term describes knowledge of spelling, pronunciation, vocabulary, word formation, grammatical structure, sentence structure and meaning?

• A. Linguistic Competence
• B. Language Proficiency
• C. Communicative Competence
• D. Discourse Competence

Answer: (A)

Knowledge of the internal language system—the spelling, pronunciation, vocabulary, word formation, grammatical structure, sentence structure, and meaning—defines linguistic competence. This term captures the mental knowledge that underlies how a language is organized across its sounds, forms, and meanings (phonology, morphology, syntax, lexicon, and semantics). It focuses on the system itself rather than how one performs in real communication or uses language in social contexts. Language proficiency leans more toward overall ability to use language, including speed and accuracy in tasks; communicative competence adds how well language is used appropriately in social situations; and discourse competence concerns arranging ideas coherently across extended text or talk. So the description aligns with linguistic competence.

Knowledge of the internal language system—the spelling, pronunciation, vocabulary, word formation, grammatical structure, sentence structure, and meaning—defines linguistic competence. This term captures the mental knowledge that underlies how a language is organized across its sounds, forms, and meanings (phonology, morphology, syntax, lexicon, and semantics). It focuses on the system itself rather than how one performs in real communication or uses language in social contexts. Language proficiency leans more toward overall ability to use language, including speed and accuracy in tasks; communicative competence adds how well language is used appropriately in social situations; and discourse competence concerns arranging ideas coherently across extended text or talk. So the description aligns with linguistic competence.