Linguistic competence refers to a person's innate ability to understand and produce language. It encompasses knowledge of grammar, vocabulary, and the rules that govern how words and sentences are formed. This competence allows individuals to communicate effectively and comprehend the language they encounter in various contexts. The concept was popularized by linguist Noam Chomsky, who distinguished it from linguistic performance, which is the actual use of language in real-life situations. While linguistic competence focuses on the idealized knowledge of language, linguistic performance considers the practical aspects, including errors and variations that occur during communication.