Demonstrate Chomsky 1965's justification of competence with 6 points?
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Mar 16
1. Chomsky argued that linguistic competence is the underlying knowledge that speakers have about their language, which allows them to produce and understand an infinite number of sentences. This knowledge is subconscious and implicit, and is distinct from performance, which refers to the actual use of language in real-time communication.
2. Chomsky believed that linguistic competence is universal and innate, meaning that all humans are born with the ability to acquire language. This is supported by the fact that children are able to learn language rapidly and effortlessly, even in the absence of explicit instruction.
3. Chomsky also argued that linguistic competence is characterized by creativity, as speakers are able to produce and understand novel sentences that they have never heard before. This ability to generate an infinite number of grammatically correct sentences demonstrates the underlying knowledge that speakers have about the rules and structures of their language.
4. Chomsky's theory of linguistic competence is based on the idea that language is rule-governed, meaning that speakers have implicit knowledge of the grammar and syntax of their language. This knowledge allows them to produce and understand sentences that conform to the rules of their language, while rejecting those that do not.
5. Chomsky's justification of competence also emphasizes the importance of the mental representation of language, which he referred to as the "mental grammar." This mental grammar includes the rules and principles that govern the structure of sentences in a language, as well as the vocabulary and morphological rules that determine word formation.
6. Overall, Chomsky's theory of linguistic competence provides a framework for understanding the underlying knowledge that speakers have about their language, and how this knowledge allows them to communicate effectively. By focusing on the mental representation of language and the rules that govern its structure, Chomsky's theory highlights the complexity and richness of human language.