Reconceptualizing Communicative Competence Based on Pragmatic Rationality
The current conceptualization of communicative competence focuses more on the expressiveness of the speaker but less on understanding and communication,showing distinct influence by pragmaticism.From the perspective of pragmatic rationality,which stresses understanding and communication,communicative competence is the competence manifested in the linguistic com-munication oriented to mutual understanding and consensus.On the one hand,it is the discourse competence of communicative subjects to use and understand language according to truthfulness,effectiveness and rightness.The competence consists of cogni-tive,practical and evaluative ones.On the other hand,it is the intersubjective competence of reasonableness to negotiate on differences and conflicts in an open and tolerant manner.The approach to communicative competence,with emphasis on rational-ity and reasonableness,can serve as a feasible guideline for linguistic communication in the contexts of daily interaction,media-tion and psychological counseling.