REVISED JOURNAL ENTRY 5
THE DANCE BETWEEN GRAMMAR AND
11 June 2025
Today’s exploration of grammatical competence versus communicative competence has given me a lot to think about. Initially, I equated language mastery with flawless grammar—this was years ago, before I really started digging into linguistics. But over time, I’ve come to see how that narrow focus misses the heart of communication: effectively conveying meaning in real-life contexts.
What struck me most is the idea that someone can produce perfectly grammatical sentences and still fail to communicate. This duality fascinates me because it shows that language isn’t just a set of rules but a living tool for connection.
Reflecting on my own experiences, I’ve lived this reality for three years. Living with Chinese students gave me a front-row seat to these nuances. Often, I had to “break” my English to be understood—not as their teacher, but as their friend. Correcting their grammar wouldn’t have been kind, and despite their errors, we communicated just fine. So, I never corrected them.
As for language learning, I never formally studied Spanish, yet I am now fluent. I learned only by speaking with native speakers. At the time, I already spoke French and was studying Italian. As a grammar enthusiast, I initially paid close attention to how my friends used the language, copying them while mentally comparing their usage to the grammar of languages I already knew. One mistake I made repeatedly was saying rompido instead of roto, probably like a child applying a regular conjugation rule everywhere, once I noticed it.
Still, I find myself questioning the balance. While communicative competence is vital, can grammatical errors harm credibility in formal settings? The comparison table I used in my last presentation highlighted the differing focuses of Chomsky and Hymes, but now I see how their ideas are interdependent. For example, in academic writing, grammar ensures precision, while communicative skills help adapt the tone for the reader. This interplay is a form of code-switching, one of the linguistic topics I find most fascinating—and I plan to explore it further in my next journal entry.
This reflection has reshaped how I approach language learning. I’ll strive to balance accuracy with adaptability, practicing grammar drills but also immersing myself in authentic interactions. After all, the true goal of language isn’t perfection but “making real connections with others.”
