CEFR CEFR - Common European Framework Pragmatic Competence Analysis 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does "pragmatic competence" mean in the CEFR framework?
- Ability to speak quickly
- Knowledge of how to use language effectively and appropriately in context (Correct answer)
- Mastery of grammar rules
- Vocabulary size
Correct answer: Knowledge of how to use language effectively and appropriately in context
Pragmatic competence is about using language effectively and appropriately for context and purpose.
Pragmatic competence in the CEFR refers to knowledge of how to use language in context: discourse coherence, communicative functions (requesting, apologizing, etc.), and understanding indirect meaning. It includes discourse and functional competences.
Question 2: Which aspect of pragmatics involves knowing how to make an indirect request politely?
- Grammatical accuracy
- Functional competence (Correct answer)
- Phonological control
- Lexical range
Correct answer: Functional competence
Functional competence covers the ability to use language for communicative purposes including polite requests.
Functional competence in the CEFR describes the ability to use language to perform communicative functions: requesting, apologizing, thanking, refusing, etc. Knowing how to make an indirect, polite request is a key functional skill at B1 and above.
Question 3: At B2, what pragmatic ability does CEFR describe?
- Can only use direct, literal language
- Can understand and use implicit meaning, implication, and indirect communication (Correct answer)
- Limited to formulaic expressions
- Cannot interpret humor or irony
Correct answer: Can understand and use implicit meaning, implication, and indirect communication
B2 pragmatic competence includes understanding implicit meaning and using implication effectively.
At B2, CEFR pragmatic descriptors include the ability to understand implicit meaning, recognize implicature, and use indirect communication. Learners can read between the lines and use nuanced pragmatic strategies.
Question 4: What is "discourse competence" in CEFR pragmatics?
- The ability to read long texts
- The ability to organize utterances into coherent, well-structured discourse (Correct answer)
- Grammar rule knowledge
- Speed of communication
Correct answer: The ability to organize utterances into coherent, well-structured discourse
Discourse competence involves organizing language into coherent, well-structured communication.
Discourse competence in the CEFR refers to the ability to organize utterances into coherent, structured discourse using cohesive devices, logical connectors, topic management, and turn-taking. It is a key component of pragmatic competence.
Question 5: At A2, what limits a learner's pragmatic competence?
- No limitations at A2
- Limited repertoire of communicative functions; relies on formulaic expressions (Correct answer)
- A2 learners are fully pragmatically competent
- A2 learners can only write, not speak
Correct answer: Limited repertoire of communicative functions; relies on formulaic expressions
A2 pragmatic competence is limited - learners use formulaic expressions and basic communicative functions.
At A2, pragmatic competence is limited to a small repertoire of communicative functions (greeting, thanking, agreeing) using predominantly formulaic or memorized expressions. Learners cannot yet handle complex indirect communication.
Question 6: What is "implicature" in pragmatics, as relevant to CEFR?
- A grammar mistake
- Meaning conveyed beyond the literal words - what is implied but not stated (Correct answer)
- A vocabulary list
- A formal language register
Correct answer: Meaning conveyed beyond the literal words - what is implied but not stated
Implicature is meaning conveyed beyond the literal words - the implied, unstated meaning.
Implicature (from Grice's cooperative principle) is the implied meaning beyond the literal content of an utterance. CEFR describes understanding implicature as a B2/C1 pragmatic skill - the ability to infer what is meant, not just what is said.
CEFR CEFR - Common European Framework Pragmatic Competence Analysis 2
What does "pragmatic competence" mean in the CEFR framework?