2.4.2. Components of the Communicative Competence
2.4.2.1. Grammatical Competence
Kilfoil and Walt (1997, p.13) define the grammatical
competence as «Correct application of rules of grammar but not explicit
knowledge of grammatical rules». According to them it is also referred to
as linguistic competence. Besides, Canale and Swain (1980) say that it deals
with features and rules of language vocabulary, word formation, and
pronunciation, sentence formation to understand and express accurately the
literal meaning of utterances.
Richards and Schmidt (1983, p.7) say that «Such
competence focuses directly on the knowledge and skill required to understand
and express accurately the literal meaning of utterances; as such, grammatical
competence will be an important concern for any second language programme»
For them, the grammatical competence is concerned with features and rules of
language such as vocabulary, word formation, sentence formation, pronunciation,
spelling and linguistic semantics. (op cit.)
2.4.2.2. Sociolinguistic Competence
For Canale and Swain (1978), sociolinguistic competence
includes socio-cultural rules of use and rules of discourse. It requires
appropriateness in understanding and producing utterances in different
sociolinguistic contexts. For Kilfoil and Walt (1997, p.13), it is «The
appropriate use of the language, for example, formal language for formal
occasions».
This competence seems to be very important in actual
communication. However, Richards and Schmidt (1983) say that there is a
tendency in many second language programmes to treat it as less important than
grammatical competence. However, they say, this tendency is odd because it
ignores the fact that the sociolinguistic competence is crucial in interpreting
utterances for their social meaning.
2.4.2.3. Discourse Competence
Richards and Schmidt (1983, p.9) say that «This type of
competence concerns the mastery of how to combine grammatical forms and
meanings to achieve a unified spoken or written text in different genres».
Then, Canale and Swain (1978) continue saying that it deals with cohesion in
form and coherence in meaning.
On one side, Richards and Schmidt say that cohesion deals with
how utterances are linked structurally and facilitates interpretation of a
text. On the other side, they say that coherence refers to the relationships
among the different meanings in a text, where these meanings may be literal
meanings, communicative functions, and attitudes. (Op cit)
2.4.2.4. Strategic Competence
For them, Richards and Schmidt (1983, p.10), «The
strategic competence is the mastery of verbal and non-verbal
communication». They add that it has two main roles: to compensate for
breakdowns in communication and enhance the effectiveness of communication. (op
cit.) Kilfoil and Walt (1997, p.13) add that it is «The ability to make
one's meaning clear in a variety of ways».
2.5. Language Acquisition and Language Learning
| 
