Research Paper on:
Language Performance versus Language Competence

Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
and language performance is the difference between knowledge of language and the use of language (McArthur, 1992). Language competence is defined as: "What we know when we know a  language; the unconscious knowledge that a speaker of a language has about his or her native language (University of Guam, 2001). Competence is described as "our tacit, internalised knowledge of  a language" (Tohoku University, 2001). Competence is also defined as "innate knowledge of language" (Markee, 2001). Language performance is defined as "The observable use of language. The actualization of ones  linguistic competence" (University of Guam, 2001). "Performance is external evidence of language competence, and is usage on particular occasions when, crucially, factors other than our linguistic competence may affect its  form" (Tohoku University, 2001). And "actual language use?/rules of performance?" (Markee, 2001). Chomsky suggested that competence "explains and characterises a speakers knowledge of a language. Performance, however, is a poor  mirror of competence" (Tohoku University, 2001). Performance would include all the verbal utterances of a person, including slips of the tongue. Performance reflects a small portion of a persons competence,  i.e., knowledge (McArthur, 1992). A good example of this tenet is the individual who is terrified of public speaking. The individual has been directed by the supervisor to deliver  a speech at a meeting. The person, being extremely nervous, may stutter, stammer, fall over words, use the wrong form of a word, leave out entire sentences he or she  planned to say (University of Guam, 2001). The speech is disjointed and at times, incomprehensible to the audience. This performance is certainly no indication of the individuals level of competency  with the language. There are any number of factors that will negatively affect an individuals performance level, making it impossible for the individual to display their competence. Short term