Discuss the universal grammar hypothesis by Noam Chomsky regarding distinction between competence and performance ?

Noam Chomsky's universal grammar hypothesis posits that all human languages share a common underlying structure or set of rules that are innate to the human brain. According to Chomsky, this universal grammar allows humans to acquire and use language, and is responsible for the similarities seen across different languages.

Chomsky also introduced the distinction between competence and performance in his theory of language. Competence refers to the underlying knowledge or ability that speakers have about their language, including the rules and structures that govern it. Performance, on the other hand, refers to the actual use of language in real-world situations, which can be influenced by factors such as memory limitations, distractions, or other cognitive processes.

Chomsky argued that the study of language should focus on competence rather than performance, as competence provides a more accurate representation of the underlying structure of language. By studying competence, linguists can uncover the universal grammar that is shared by all languages, and gain insights into the cognitive processes that underlie language acquisition and use.

Overall, Chomsky's universal grammar hypothesis and distinction between competence and performance have had a significant impact on the field of linguistics, shaping the way researchers study and understand language acquisition, structure, and use.