对交际能力定义的重新思考

Reflection On Communicative Competence

Canale和Swain对交际能力的定义常常被外语界看成是衡量语言学习者是否具有交际能力的尺度,交际能力理论也是导致交际教学法产生的源头。随着语言和教学研究的不断深入,外语界对交际能力有了新的认识,该定义的对象、文化范围以及语言掌握的熟练度等或者存在着严重的局限性,或者被理想化了。为此,我们对交际能力定义提出新的看法,认为交际能力的定义应该涵盖英语作为国际通用语言的文化语境,交际不仅发生在母语者和目标语学习者之间,也常常发生在不同国籍的使用英语进行交流的人们之间。所以外语界有必要对交际能力定义提出新的见解。

The definition of communicative competence, ad vanced by Canale and Swain, has been regarded as the criterion to weigh whether the language learners have acquired communicative competence, which has also led to the birth of communicative approach. However, with the further study of language teaching, the different recognition in communicative competence has been brought to attention. Canale and Swain＇s definition either confines the scope of the subjects and the culture context; or it idealizes the learners＇ linguistic ability. Hence, this paper explores and depicts its unique view and holds that the definition should take into account the fact that English has become lingua franca; and communication not only occurs between native speakers and English learners, but between those of different nationalities. Therefore, it is essential for the foreign language experts and scholars to set forth a more appropriate and novel definition.