The ability to use language in ways appropriate to contexts of use, role relationships and communicative purposes is called what?

• A. Sociolinguistic Competence
• B. Strategic Competence
• C. Rhetorical Functions
• D. Semi-authentic

Answer: (A)

Sociolinguistic competence is the ability to use language appropriately for different social contexts, roles, and communicative purposes. It means choosing the right register, level of formality, vocabulary, and politeness based on who you’re speaking to, your relationship with them, and what you’re trying to achieve. This includes understanding cultural norms and expected interaction patterns, so you can adapt your speech to fit situations like talking to a supervisor, a client, or a friend, and to achieve the intended effect—informing, requesting, negotiating, or comforting.

Strategic competence, by contrast, is about managing communication when problems arise (repairing misunderstandings, asking for clarification, and keeping the conversation moving). Rhetorical functions refer to the purposes of utterances (why you’re saying something, such as to request, persuade, or announce). Semi-authentic isn’t a standard term used in this framework.