Competence and Performance Versus Langue and Parole: A Comparative Linguistic Analysis
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Abstract
This study examines two key dichotomies in modern linguistics: Ferdinand de Saussure’s concepts of langue and parole and Noam Chomsky’s distinction between competence and performance. Although these frameworks arise from different traditions—structuralism and generative linguistics—they both aim to separate the abstract system of language from its actual use in communication. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for analysing how language is structured, learned, and used in real-life situations. This study provides a comparative analysis of these models by examining their definitions, underlying assumptions, similarities, and major differences. It highlights how Saussure focuses on the social and collective nature of language, while Chomsky emphasizes the mental and innate aspects of linguistic knowledge. By comparing these perspectives, the research demonstrates their contributions to linguistic theory and their continued relevance for both theoretical studies and practical applications in language learning and analysis.
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