COMMUNICATIVE
COMPETENCE
“Communication must be HOT.
That’s Honest, Open, and Two-way.”
- Dan Oswale
COMMUNICATIVE COMPETENCE
means knowing what to say, how to say it, and when to say it. It
also means understanding what others are saying in the
language they are speaking in.
involves many different skills that enable a person to relate well
to other people.
can be achieved in three aspects – STRUCTURAL ASPECT
LEXICAL ASPECT
SOCIO-CULTURAL ASPECT
I. STRUCTURAL ASPECT
The structural aspect of communicative competence involves
knowing the form of utterance to be used such as pronunciation and
grammar. Speakers should pronounce words in such a way that they
are not misunderstood by listeners.
Example: beat – bit Part of the structural aspect of
neat – knit communicative competence involves
feel – fill hearing words correctly, that is, a hearer
must also distinguish between similarly
sounding words.
II. LEXICAL ASPECT
The lexical aspect of communicative competence also involves properly
understanding and using words, phrases, and idioms. In particular, several
words can have similar meanings. Yet, each word has its own nuance, a subtle
difference it has from other words with similar meaning. For example, although
tall and high have similar meanings, they cannot be used interchangeably in
different sentences:
Example: She saw a tall building. Correct
She saw a tall girl. Correct
She saw a high girl. Incorrect
This shows that some words can go together with some particular words but
not with others. The proper combination of words with other particular words is
called collocation.
A. Understanding the Connotation of Words
The feelings, ideas, and images produced in the mind of a hearer
depend on the culture and even in the experiences of that person. This
is called connotation. Connotation can vary between cultures, groups of
people, generations, and even between individuals.
As a part of communicative competence, a speaker must use the
word with appropriate connotation. The connotation of a word is not
usually found in the dictionary. A speaker must be familiar with its use
through constant exposure to the language. Take for example the
following words:
girl woman lady
B. Using Proper Idioms
The Communicative competence also requires the use of the
appropriate idiom for a given situation. For instance, although the
words evening and night have very similar meaning, the use of good
night when meeting a person is inappropriate as a form of greeting at
night. For this purpose the idiom good evening is used. Conversely, the
use of good evening is inappropriate for bidding good-bye to someone.
For this purpose, the idiom good night is appropriate to use. Knowing
which idiom to use is best acquired by being exposed to situations
where such idioms are used.
C. Understanding Non-literal Use of Words
or Expressions
A communicatively competent person must know when a word or
expression is used metaphorically, that is, using them in a non-literal
way. Part of being competent at the social aspect of communication
involves understanding the different ways people use language. The
following are just a few of the ways of speaking that a person must
know as part of being competent in communication. They are
commonly known as figures of speech:
• Understatement
• Hyperbole
• Irony
• Understatement
When a person describe something less than what is actually is, then the
person is using understatement. One purpose for using understatement is to
assure or calm someone. Another would be to show humility.
• Hyperbole
Hyperbole involves exaggerated expressions in order to produce
emphasis. For example, when someone says, “we have been waiting for you
for ages,” a communicatively competent person knows that this is hyperbole
because the literal meaning is absurd.
• Irony
Ironic refers to saying the opposite of what you mean. In English, one
possible lexical signal for being ironic is the word fine, such as in, “Its a fine
situation you got us into.” Usually, this is accompanied by a sing-song or up-
and-down tune.
III. SOCIO-CULTURAL ASPECT
Perhaps the most important aspect of being competent at
communication is the social aspect – relating well with people through words
and even actions. Gautama Buddha once cautioned people to be careful
with their words by saying, “Whatever words we utter should be chosen with
care for people will hear them and be influenced by them for good or ill.” The
book of James in the Bible warns that words can cause a lot of destruction:
“the tongue is a fire.”
Part of growing up for a person is to know what to say and what not to say
in a given situation. For example, we are taught not to commit backbiting –
saying negative things about a person when that person is not around. As the
world grows closer, there is an ever-growing need to become more sensitive
to becoming competent in communicating with people from a different
cultural background.
Competence in Specific Functions of Language
A person who is competent in communication knows and uses the proper
forms used in specific language. He or she must know how to use polite
expressions and be aware of impolite expressions related to language
functions. Below are several functions of communication. Each of them has
different forms:
Expressing one’s opinion
Asking for, offering, accepting and rejecting help
Interrupting a speaker
Asking for and giving directions
Making and accepting apologies
Giving and responding to compliments
Asking for, giving and rejecting advice
Making requests
Avoiding Topics or Unproductive Comments
Communicative competence also means that a person
knows what topics to avoid and avoids unproductive
comments. For instance, a speaker must avoid making very
general comments about people based on religion, culture,
status, gender, or age. Such comments are not helpful
because they produce stereotypes, particularly negative ones.
Instead, a speaker must learn to qualify his or her comments
and be sensitive to what effect they may have on others.
Understanding Non-verbal Cues
In addition to understanding spoken utterance, communicative
competence involves understanding non-verbal expressions. A
communicatively competent person must be sensitive to pauses, facial
expressions, gestures, change of tone, and many other non-verbal
cues. For instance, when a speaker pauses it may mean he or she is
unsure, ashamed, or uninterested in what is being talked about. Also,
involves in knowing what a tone or change of tone can mean
seriousness, irony, sarcasm, getting offended, or many other things.
Communicative competence is very important in learning a language
and in properly functioning in society. Without it, misunderstanding and
conflict can easily arise. However, with diligence and serious effort, it
can be achieved. It should be everyone’s important goal.
THANK YOU
FOR
LISTENING!!!
