What is the term for the ability to think about language?

The ability to think about language is referred to as metalinguistic awareness. This term encompasses a variety of skills that allow individuals to reflect on and manipulate the structures and functions of language, including understanding the rules that govern language use and the ability to analyze language as a system. It involves recognizing the distinctions between different forms of language, such as sounds (phonetics), word meanings (semantics), and sentence structure (syntax).

Metalinguistic awareness is crucial for language development and literacy skills, enabling learners to discern how language works and enhancing their ability to communicate effectively. This awareness supports skills such as reading comprehension, writing, and critical thinking about text.

The other terms relate to specific aspects of language but do not capture the broader cognitive ability of thinking about language as a whole. Syntax awareness focuses specifically on the structure of sentences, phonemic awareness is related to the awareness of sounds within words, and lexical awareness pertains to understanding the meanings and uses of words. While these are important components of language skills, they are narrower in scope than metalinguistic awareness.