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language transfer

in second-language acquisition, the tendency to transfer the phonology, syntax, and semantics of the native language into the learning of the second language. Negative transfer (or interference) occurs when differences between the two languages’ structures lead to systematic errors in the learning of the second language or to fossilization. Positive transfer occurs when areas of similarity between the two languages facilitate learning. See contrastive analysis; interlanguage.

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November 21st 2024