Communicative Competence

Being communicatively adept

• This is a theory on the knowledge of constructing
sentences or being grammatically correct which is
through understanding syntax, morphology,
phonology. Social knowledge on how to properly use
utterance or completeness of speech also falls in
communicative competence.
Through Syntax
• Structuring sentences are one of the key importance
of communication, syntax gives the process to do so.
Proper “word order” or proper arrangement of “parts
of speech” is also part of the process.
Word Order
• Sequencing of “parts of speech” this is typically done
as “Subject” first and then “Verb” and then the
“Object” last. There are other sequences such as
Subject, Object, Verb or Verb, Subject, Object.
Example
A dog bit my paper
Dog is the “Subject”, bit is the “verb” and paper is the “object”

We can try to properly re-arrange the parts of speech and try to emit the
same message.

My paper is what a dog bit.

The parts of speech are still the same but the arrangements are different.
Specifically for this sequence, it’s used for answering questions
Through Morphology
• This is mostly about the structuring of words and
relation with other words either by synonyms,
plurality or antonyms. The structuring of words are
analyzed by Stems, Root Words, Prefixes, Suffixes. This
also tackles “parts of speech”, intonation and stress
and how context can change the words pronunciation
and meaning or heteronyms
• Word Stems – composed of a base and a suffix, a base differs from a
root word because it has no meaning and relies on suffix to complete
as a word, a word stem.
• Root Words – words that have standalone meanings without affixes
attached
• Affix – are modifiers that gives a root word a relative meaning these
modifiers are prefix and suffix
• Intonation – proper pitch to reflect on the emotion or attitude of the
speaker.
Example
Friendship
Friend is the root word, ship is the suffix

Predetermine
Pre is the prefix and determine is the root word

Gentrify
Gentri is a base, fy is a suffix

Gentri has no meaning making it only a base, it relies on suffixes to create a

stem word.
Modifying “Parts of Speech”
• Usually the tense are changed
Ex.
The dog bites the man. (Present)
The dog bit the man. (Past)
Through Phonology
• This contrast sounds of speech or how the sounds or
pronunciation of letters differ from one another. Some
may come in variants of the same letter, depending on
the word it is used on. Knowing this, helps you sound
more affluent in the language you are using or
learning
Example
B
But /buh/
D
Done /duh/

B and D contrast of the sounding “buh” and “duh”

• Allophone – the same letter but with different sounding, which is
dependent on the word it is used on.
ex.
N

Snack /naah/

Knee /neeh/