Transfer

Definition

Transfer refers to the influence of a person's existing knowledge, skills, or experiences from one language or context onto another language they are learning. This can manifest as positive transfer, where similarities between languages enhance learning, or negative transfer, where differences lead to errors and misunderstandings. Understanding transfer is crucial for recognizing how a learner's first language can shape their acquisition of a second language.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Transfer can significantly impact language proficiency by either aiding or hindering the learning process, depending on the relationship between the languages involved.
2. Research has shown that learners often rely on their first language to interpret new grammatical structures and vocabulary in the second language.
3. Negative transfer is common among learners and can lead to fossilization, where incorrect forms become entrenched and persist despite further instruction.
4. Positive transfer is more likely to occur when languages share similar phonetic features, grammar rules, or vocabulary, facilitating smoother transitions in learning.
5. Teachers often emphasize awareness of transfer issues to help learners recognize and overcome obstacles related to their first language when acquiring a second language.

Review Questions

• How does transfer influence the process of acquiring a second language?
  • Transfer plays a critical role in second language acquisition as it can either support or impede learning. When learners apply knowledge from their first language to the new language, they may find similarities that aid understanding and usage—this is known as positive transfer. Conversely, when there are significant differences between the two languages, learners may make errors due to negative transfer. Recognizing this influence allows educators to tailor instruction effectively.
• In what ways can teachers address negative transfer in second language learners?
  • Teachers can address negative transfer by providing explicit instruction about common pitfalls that arise from differences between the learner's first language and the target language. This includes teaching contrastive analysis, where educators highlight specific areas of difficulty. Additionally, using examples from both languages helps learners understand where they might go wrong and how to correct these errors through practice and feedback.
• Evaluate the role of interlanguage in understanding transfer during second language acquisition.
  • Interlanguage represents a critical aspect of transfer because it illustrates the evolving linguistic system that learners develop as they acquire a second language. It reflects influences from both the first language and the target language, highlighting how transfer operates throughout the learning process. By analyzing interlanguage patterns, researchers can identify instances of positive and negative transfer, which provide insights into how learners navigate their linguistic resources and adapt their understanding during acquisition.

Related terms

Positive Transfer: A situation where similarities between the first and second languages facilitate learning and result in correct usage.

Negative Transfer: Occurs when differences between the first and second languages lead to errors in understanding or usage.

Interlanguage:

A transitional linguistic system that learners create as they progress in acquiring a second language, reflecting elements of both their first language and the target language.