Linguistic competence refers to an organization's ability to communicate effectively with which groups?

• A. Diverse audiences including those limited in English proficiency, with low literacy, with disabilities, or who are deaf or hard of hearing
• B. Only native English speakers
• C. Only patients who bring an interpreter
• D. Only those in urban settings

Answer: (A)

Linguistic competence means an organization can communicate effectively with all people it serves, not just native speakers. It involves offering languages and formats that meet diverse needs: materials in languages other than English, plain language for those with limited literacy, accessible communication for people with disabilities, and interpretation or captioning for those who are deaf or hard of hearing. This makes the focus inclusive of diverse audiences, including those limited in English proficiency, with low literacy, with disabilities, or who are deaf or hard of hearing. The broader, inclusive focus is what makes this option the best fit because it explicitly covers multiple barriers to communication. Other options are too narrow: they limit communication to native speakers, rely only on interpreters, or apply only to urban settings, which would exclude many people who need accessible information.