arrow
arrow
arrow
Who among the following linguists proposed the terms 'competence' and 'performance'?
Question

Who among the following linguists proposed the terms 'competence' and 'performance'?

A.

Noah Webster

B.

Steven Pinker

C.

Roman Jakobson

D.

Noam Chomsky

Correct option is D

Explanation:
Noam Chomsky, in his influential work Aspects of the Theory of Syntax (1965), introduced the concepts of competence and performance in the study of linguistics:
Competence: Refers to an individual's innate knowledge of a language and its rules. It is an idealized capacity.
Performance: Refers to the actual use of language in concrete situations, including errors, hesitations, and contextual variations.
Chomsky’s dichotomy is fundamental to modern linguistic theory and has significantly influenced cognitive science, psycholinguistics, and syntax.

Information Booster:

Noam Chomsky's Contributions:
Known as the father of modern linguistics.
Proposed transformational-generative grammar, revolutionizing how syntax is studied.
His work connects linguistics with cognitive science.
Competence vs. Performance Example:
Competence: Knowing that "I am going" is grammatically correct.
Performance: Saying "I'm... uh... going" during actual speech.
Impact on Linguistics:
Chomsky's work highlights the distinction between theoretical linguistic knowledge and practical usage, shaping theories in grammar, semantics, and pragmatics.

Additional Knowledge:
Noah Webster:
Known for his contributions to American English, particularly the creation of Webster's Dictionary.
Steven Pinker:
A cognitive psychologist and linguist known for his works on language evolution, such as The Language Instinct.
Roman Jakobson:
Renowned for his theories on structuralism and the communication model (e.g., six functions of language).

Free Tests

Free
Must Attempt

Basics of Education: Pedagogy, Andragogy, and Hutagogy

languageIcon English
  • pdpQsnIcon10 Questions
  • pdpsheetsIcon20 Marks
  • timerIcon12 Mins
languageIcon English
Free
Must Attempt

UGC NET Paper 1 Mock Test 1

languageIcon English
  • pdpQsnIcon50 Questions
  • pdpsheetsIcon100 Marks
  • timerIcon60 Mins
languageIcon English
Free
Must Attempt

Basics of Education: Pedagogy, Andragogy, and Hutagogy

languageIcon English
  • pdpQsnIcon10 Questions
  • pdpsheetsIcon20 Marks
  • timerIcon12 Mins
languageIcon English
test-prime-package

Access ‘UGC NET English’ Mock Tests with

  • 60000+ Mocks and Previous Year Papers
  • Unlimited Re-Attempts
  • Personalised Report Card
  • 500% Refund on Final Selection
  • Largest Community
students-icon
354k+ students have already unlocked exclusive benefits with Test Prime!
Our Plans
Monthsup-arrow