Exploring and Assessing Linguistic Contexts in The Heart of Darkness using Bachman’s Model of Communication Competences

Current researches on discourse and communication are often based on linguistic and verbal communications. In this regard, the performance of speakers and the way that communication competence is developed among speakers based on discursive context would be significant. The linguistic developments indicate the existence of communications and the ability of human beings in having meaningful relationship using effective methods of interactions. Regarding the development of communication competence, Bachman’s approach has been considered and debated as it pays special attention to the organizational and pragmatic competences. Bachman proposed linguistic, discursive, psychological, and contextual criteria as applicable layers of the competences. What makes the debate more important in this study is the capability of assessing the mentioned aspects in Heart of Darkness. At first, different concepts of competence are discussed in detail and then, they were explored and assessed in communication structures of the novel. The novel narrates what happens to the characters, their action and reaction in different social conditions and the way they communicate. Considering the linguistic aspects of the novel and using a descriptive-analytical method, it was tried to present a precise assessment of the mentioned elements in selected samples of the novel. The results show that, generally, since characters tend to social facts, such issues as the tension between the characters in linguistic communications, the occurrence of events in the social and linguistic contexts, and dominant social limitations can be investigated using the elements of Bachman’s model of communication competencies.