PCOM (COMMUNICATIVE COMPETENCE)

COMMUNICATIVE COMPETENCE

Is the ability to use language effectively, correctly, and appropriately in real-life social situation.

Coined by Dell hymes in the 1970’s it goes beyond just knowing grammar rules— it means knowing what to say, how to say, whom, and when.

4 COMPONENTS OF COMMUNICATIVE COMPETENCE

Linguistic competence

Sociolinguistic competence

Discourse competence

Strategic competence

Linguistic competence

is the knowledge of the language code, i.e. its grammar and vocabulary and also of the conventions of its written representation (script and orthography).

Phonology

(sounds) [Pronunciation]

– acceptable sounds and sound patterns

Morphology

(word formation)

Understanding how words are constructed using roots, prefixes, and suffixes. Ex: Knowing that adding -ed to walk makes it past tense

Syntax

(Sentence structure)

Knowing how to order words to form meaningful, correct sentences.

Semantics

(Meaning)

– Understanding the literal meanings of words, phrases, and sentences.

Script and Orthography

physical collection of visual symbols

Sociolinguistic Competence

Knowledge of sociocultural rules of use, including knowing how to use and respond to language appropriately based on setting, topic, relationships, politeness, and social taboos.

Discourse Competence

Knowledge of how to produce and comprehend oral or written texts to create cohesive and coherent texts of different types (e.g., conversations, speeches, poetry, emails).

Strategic competence

The ability to recognize and repair communication breakdowns before, during, or after they occur (e.g., paraphrasing, asking for clarification, using gestures, taking turns).

Formal Language/Formal English

is a type of language resource that is used in formal or serious academic situations. The following are communication contexts or types of texts that are characterized by formal English or formal language: research article or scientific journal article, academic essays, college term papers, business reports, textbooks, legal papers, school documents, research paper (thesis), formal meeting minutes, etc.

Informal Language/Informal English

is a language resource which is used to communicate with friends, relatives and on social media. It usually occurs in casual situations and informal communication contexts such as: family communications, sports/field interaction, conversation with friends, movie conversations, talk shows, informal social gathering, birthday parties, jeepney conversations, facebook interactions, messages in messenger, etc.

Informal

Contraction

Personal pronouns

Slang and idioms Fillers (er, umm, uh) Shorter sentences

Shortened or less complicated words Sometimes less proper or less polite

Formal

No Contraction

lack of personal pronouns

longer and more complicated sentences bigger and more sophisticated words follows etiquette guideline

sounds extremely polite

Informal

Common words

Phrasal verbs

Short forms

Short and simple sentences

Formal

passive structures complex sentences formal words

full form