This document discusses the linguistic concepts of langue and competence as proposed by Ferdinand de Saussure and Noam Chomsky respectively. It defines langue as the abstract rules and conventions of a sign system that exists independently of individuals, while competence refers to the internalized linguistic knowledge of native speakers. The key similarities are that both discuss language as a system and are stable and abstract. The main differences are that langue has a social context versus the psychological context of competence, and langue exists prior to individuals while competence exists within their minds.

1. Langue vs.
Competence
Rabbia Azam

2. Introduction
Dichotomy of language.
• Langue and parole by Ferdinend de Saussure
• Competence and perfromace by Noam
Chomsky

3. Background
Ferdinend De
Saussure
• A Swiss Linguist
• (1857-1913)
• Modernist
• Social scientist
Noam Chomsky
• American Linguist
• (Born 1928)
• Post Modernist
• Cognitive scientist

4. Definition of Langue
Langue encompasses the abstract, systematic
rules and conventions of a signifying system; it
is independent of, and pre-exists, individual
users.

5. Definition of Competence
Linguistic competence is the system of
linguistic knowledge possessed by native
speakers of a language.

6. Similarities
 System of language
 Discuss language at large
 Stable
 Abstract
 Essential component

7. Differences
Langue
Social setting
Not designed
Behaviourist
Pre-exists individuals
Competence
Psychological setting
Designed
Cognitivist
Exists within minds of
individuals

8. Langue
Conventional
Emphasis on signs or
structures
Atomistic nature
Competence
Inherent
Emphasis on
internalised set of rules
Generative nature

9. Langue
Same for all speakers
of a language
Led to structuralist
approach
Competence
Differs from speaker to
speaker of the same
language
Led to universality of
grammar

10. Conclusion
Langue along with parole and competence
along with performance form language.
The dichotomies revolutionized the previous
notions of language and led to emergence of
different schools of thought in linguistics.