linguistic competence, n.All

Linguistic competence (n.) is ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠knowing a language as a finite system of rules that quietly fixes the form and meaning of endlessly many sentences you will never hear.