Interlanguage

Definition

Interlanguage is a unique linguistic system that emerges in the process of second language acquisition, representing the evolving stage between a learner's native language and the target language they are trying to master. It encompasses the rules, patterns, and structures that learners create as they progress towards fluency, often incorporating elements from both languages. This term highlights the dynamic and sometimes inconsistent nature of language learning.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Interlanguage is characterized by systematic errors that reflect the learner's current understanding of the target language.
2. It is dynamic and can change over time as the learner receives more input and practice in the target language.
3. Learners often exhibit features of their native language in their interlanguage, leading to unique linguistic forms not found in either language.
4. Interlanguage can be influenced by various factors including age, motivation, exposure to the target language, and the learner's first language.
5. Teachers can use insights from interlanguage to identify common errors and provide targeted feedback to help students improve their language skills.

Review Questions

• How does interlanguage illustrate the complexities of second language acquisition?
  • Interlanguage demonstrates the complexities of second language acquisition by showing how learners develop a unique linguistic system as they navigate between their native language and the target language. This system contains features from both languages, along with systematic errors that reflect the learner's current understanding. Understanding interlanguage helps educators recognize the diverse paths learners take towards fluency and address specific challenges they face.
• Discuss the role of fossilization in interlanguage development and its implications for language learning.
  • Fossilization plays a significant role in interlanguage development as it refers to the point when certain errors or patterns become fixed and resistant to change. This phenomenon can impede a learner's progress towards achieving fluency because it creates a barrier that makes it challenging to overcome persistent mistakes. Recognizing fossilized forms can guide teachers in providing tailored instruction and strategies to help learners move past these obstacles and refine their skills.
• Evaluate how understanding interlanguage can improve teaching methods for second language acquisition.
  • Understanding interlanguage can significantly enhance teaching methods by allowing educators to tailor their approaches based on the specific needs and challenges faced by learners. By analyzing students' interlanguage patterns, teachers can identify common errors and areas needing improvement, enabling them to provide more effective feedback. Additionally, recognizing the dynamic nature of interlanguage encourages a focus on communication rather than perfection, fostering a supportive environment where learners feel comfortable making mistakes as they grow in their language proficiency.

Related terms

Fossilization: The process where incorrect language usage becomes a permanent part of a learner's interlanguage, hindering further improvement.

Code-switching: The practice of alternating between two or more languages or dialects within a conversation or discourse, often seen among bilingual speakers.

Transfer: The influence of a learner's native language on their second language performance, which can result in both positive effects and negative errors.