Interlanguage

Definition

Interlanguage is the evolving linguistic system that language learners create as they progress toward full proficiency in a target language. This transitional language reflects the influence of the learner's native language, the target language, and the learners' own hypotheses about language rules. It demonstrates the complex cognitive processes involved in language acquisition, revealing how learners internalize and apply grammatical structures and vocabulary.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Interlanguage can exhibit systematic patterns, where learners make predictable errors based on their understanding of both their native and target languages.
2. It often includes a mix of correct forms, incorrect forms, and unique constructions that are not present in either the learner's first or second language.
3. The study of interlanguage provides insights into the cognitive processes involved in second language acquisition and helps educators develop more effective teaching strategies.
4. Learners' interlanguages can vary significantly based on their age, motivation, exposure to the target language, and individual learning strategies.
5. As learners gain more experience and exposure to the target language, their interlanguage typically becomes more stable and resembles native-like speech.

Review Questions

• How does interlanguage demonstrate the cognitive processes involved in learning a new language?
  • Interlanguage showcases the cognitive processes by reflecting how learners hypothesize about grammatical rules and vocabulary. As learners attempt to communicate in the target language, they draw on their existing knowledge from their native language while also experimenting with new structures. This process reveals their understanding of both languages, illustrating how they adapt and modify their use of language over time.
• What role does transfer play in shaping a learner's interlanguage, and how can it affect language acquisition?
  • Transfer plays a significant role in shaping interlanguage by influencing how learners apply rules from their first language to the target language. Positive transfer can facilitate learning when similarities exist between the two languages, while negative transfer can lead to errors that persist in the learner's speech. Understanding transfer helps educators identify common pitfalls for learners and develop strategies to address these issues effectively.
• Evaluate the implications of fossilization in a learner's interlanguage for long-term language acquisition outcomes.
  • Fossilization in interlanguage can significantly impact long-term language acquisition outcomes by establishing persistent errors that learners may carry into advanced stages of proficiency. When certain incorrect forms become entrenched, it becomes increasingly difficult for learners to adjust these features without targeted intervention. This highlights the importance of early exposure to accurate language input and corrective feedback to minimize fossilization and promote continuous development toward fluency.

Related terms

Fossilization:

The phenomenon where certain linguistic features in a learner's interlanguage become permanent and resistant to change, often hindering further language development.

Transfer: The influence of a learner's first language on their use of the target language, which can be positive (facilitating learning) or negative (leading to errors).

Communicative Competence: The ability to use language effectively in a variety of contexts, including not just grammatical accuracy but also sociolinguistic and discourse competence.