Abstract
This paper aims to integrate theories of communicative language ability (CLA) in a simple, but expandable way. It defines CIA as a vector whose direction and magnitude are determined in terms of the three dimensions: mindreading ability, physical ability and linguistic ability. This new understanding clarifies the role of mindreading ability in both non-linguistic and linguistic communication. It also makes explicit the function that the body carries both non-linguistically and linguistically. It holds connections with the past theories of CLA, particularly in terms of linguistic ability, and maintains the distinction between Chomskyan competence and traditional linguistic knowledge (conventions). CLA is further expanded both philosophically and linguistically and the three abilities are subdivided into the aspects explained by Theory of Mind and by Relevance Theory (for mindreading ability); linguistic physical ability and non-linguistic physical ability (for physical ability); competence and four types of knowledge of linguistic conventions (for linguistic ability). The four linguistic conventions are grammatical, textual, sociolinguistic and functional. With this three-dimensional understanding, we gain a better understanding of problematic issues in the past. Strategic competence and interaction are now explained by Theory of Mind and Relevance theory, and the psychophysiological mechanisms that disappeared without a reason in Bachman and Palmer (1996) are back with a wider notion that includes non-linguistic aspect. The past bias on the language oriented view of linguistic communication (communication is an extension of linguistic knowledge) is balanced by the communication oriented view of linguistic communication (language is not necessarily an essential component in communication). This paper presents what seems to be one of the most theoretically consistent general pictures of CIA.
