Question

How is competence similar to Saussure’s concept of langue?

• A. Both refer to actual language use
• B. Both are sociological in nature
• C. Both are abstract systems underlying language
• D. Both are about performance issues

Answer 1

Answer:

C. Both are abstract systems underlying language

Chomsky’s competence aligns with Saussure’s langue as both refer to the underlying system or code of language that is shared or internalized — not the actual spoken instances.