In Command of a Language

In Command of a Language

Recall the language or your mother tongue that you are in command.  Is it the language that you are using all the time and you are exposed to it, too?  That means you must have enough input of the language in listening and text reading as well as output in speaking and writing.  Do you agree?  Besides, you can creatively use the language at will and you have strong language sense (linguistic intuition).  With this sense, you know whether you use the language correctly or not.  Moreover, you know how to adjust to improve the language.

For the 2^nd language learning, (any language other than the mother tongue/ your first language), you are required to put in enough effort and must be sensitised to the structures, spelling, pronunciation, punctuation and vocabulary of the language.  In other words, you must have the awareness of these items in order to speak and write well.

         
Of course if you can learn the 2^nd language just as you learnt your first language, that is marvellous.  However, you must have enough exposure to the second language to acquire it in naturally way.  Otherwise, I am afraid, some deliberate effort is required to acquire the second language.  As we know, the English language is learnt as the 2^nd language in Malaysia.  So I am convinced to say that there must be enough effort to acquire the knowledge of the language, namely,

spelling,

 vocabulary,

pronunciation

and grammar, especially.

          
To become proficient / competent in the spoken and written English, you need to know the spelling of English words, pronunciation,  and grammar fairly well. Of course, you must acquire enough vocabulary to use the language freely.  I must say that it is prerequisite to have enough knowledge of the English language in order to command it.

          
Then you can engage in the language use in speaking and writing at will.  Definitely,  you must also have enough knowledge on the subject matter to speak / write well.

 According to Noam Chomsky, a famous linguistic researcher, being able to use the language in speaking and writing is the performance of the language.  No doubt, it requires enough practices to excel in it.

          
 All in all, language learning is a life-long process.  I strongly believe in reading widely to acquire vocabulary in context to increase the stock of the language.  To conclude my writing, I would like to repeat that you need enough knowledge of the language and enough practice to master the language.  What do you think?

Noam Chomsky’s definition of:

Competence:  the knowledge of the language

Performance:  being able to use the language in speaking and writing

Reference
Assoc Prof Dr Arshad Abd Samad, Dr Mariam Md Nor, Abd Halim Ibrahim. (2010)  HBEL3203  TEACHING OF GRAMMAR