Question

What does linguistic competence refer to according to Chomsky?

• A. Actual speech behavior
• B. Knowledge of grammatical rules and structure
• C. Ability to learn a second language
• D. Language used in social settings

Answer 1

Answer:

B. Knowledge of grammatical rules and structure

Competence is the native speaker's intuitive knowledge of their language — grammar, syntax, and the ability to form and understand infinite sentences. It is abstract, mental, and idealized, not affected by errors or distractions.