In this paper, some of the ways in which meaning is extracted in authentic language contexts are discussed. The claim is made that it is always the case that some level of the language we use is imperfect or deviant from some putative ideal. Finally, two common contexts in which authentic but deviant language is the medium of communication are examined. In attempting to understand how participants manage to communicate in situations where the code is deviant and where they are unequal in their control of the language, we can gain insights into what contributes to successful communication under authentic conditions. Some implications for authentic language testing are considered.
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