Interlingual transfer
What is the main source of an interlingual error?
Interference or negative transfer from the learner’s first language (L1).
What is an intralingual error?
An error caused by incomplete or incorrect learning of the target language itself.
Who coined the term interlanguage?
Larry Selinker, in 1972.
Name one affective factor that can contribute to errors.
Anxiety, shyness, inhibition, or fear of speaking.
A Spanish-speaking learner says “I have 20 years” to express age in English. Which source may explain this?
Interlingual transfer: a structure from Spanish is transferred into English.
What is negative transfer?
When patterns from the first language interfere with learning or using the target language.
What is overgeneralization?
Applying a learned rule too broadly to forms where it does not apply. Example: “He can sings.”
What is interlanguage?
A developing linguistic system that is neither identical to the learner’s L1 nor to the target language.
How can anxiety affect language performance?
It can interfere with cognitive processing and make communication more difficult.
A learner says “She doesn’t likes coffee.” Which source is illustrated?
Intralingual overgeneralization: the learner adds the third-person -s after “doesn’t.”
According to Contrastive Analysis, why can differences between L1 and L2 cause difficulty?
Learners may transfer familiar forms and structures into the target language.
What does ignorance of rule restrictions mean?
Applying a grammatical rule in a context where it is not permitted. Example: “He made me to go.”
Is interlanguage a fixed system?
No. It is dynamic and changes as the learner develops second-language competence.
How can fatigue or lack of concentration cause an error?
They can produce temporary performance mistakes even when the learner knows the correct form.
A learner knows the correct form but uses it incorrectly when nervous during an oral exam. What factor may be involved?
An affective or performance-related factor, such as anxiety.
Does mastering the first language resolve all second-language mistakes?
No. Errors can also result from intralingual processes, learning strategies, and affective factors.
What is incomplete application of rules?
Failing to use the complete grammatical structure required. Example: “You like to sing?” instead of “Do you like to sing?
What is fossilization?
The persistence of certain linguistic forms or rules despite further learning or instruction.
What is an induced error?
An error influenced by teaching procedures or classroom input, such as imitating a teacher’s mispronunciation.
Learners from different L1 backgrounds make the same developmental grammar error. What does this suggest?
The error may be intralingual or developmental rather than caused by L1 interference.
What is the difference between positive and negative transfer?
Positive transfer facilitates learning because of similarities between languages; negative transfer causes interference.
What are false concepts hypothesized?
Errors caused by misunderstanding distinctions or functions in the target language. Example: “One day it was happened.”
How can interlanguage help explain learner errors?
Errors reveal the learner’s developing internal rules and learning processes rather than simply showing failure.
Besides L1 and L2 rules, name two other possible contributors to errors mentioned in the readings.
Learning or communication strategies, inadequate practice or instruction, memory limitations, or affective factors. Any two.
A learner repeatedly uses a non-target form despite years of instruction. What concept might explain this persistence?
Fossilization in interlanguage, although the pattern must be examined before making a firm diagnosis.