So, a question on competence that I doubt can be answered objectively.
I have seen a number of threads here where the question of someone’s competence in a subject / grasp of the literature is brought up. It raises the question in my mind as to how we can assess that from a personal level, especially where we are not actively working in the field as part of our day to day hour by hour working / studying lives.
With something like a language there is a measurable improvement in an ability to read texts, compare with other translations, and often grammar / syntax aids. When it comes to the field of linguistics, something that I struggle with is any possibility of measuring my progress here. I can start to understand concepts and read books and articles better, but it isn’t the same.
How can we assess levels of competence both for lay persons and professionals.
I am not pointing this at any individual on this board, and want to be clear I am not after people pointing to others here, or specific posts; it does however have a clear application. Terms like Dunning Kruger are something I am aware of, and ironically probably think I understand better than I do!