language competence

Language competence refers to a person’s inherent ability to understand and produce language correctly, including grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. It’s the mental knowledge of language rules that allows someone to communicate effectively and accurately, even if they don’t always use perfect sentences in practice. Think of it as the underlying “software” in your mind that enables you to grasp meaning, form sentences, and interpret others’ words. This competence provides the foundation for language use, which can be influenced by experience, context, and social factors.