Interlanguage

Definition

Interlanguage is a linguistic system created by second language learners as they progress towards full proficiency in the target language. It reflects the learner's evolving understanding of the language, showcasing a mix of elements from both their native language and the target language. This unique system often includes rules and patterns that may not align with either language, making it an important concept in understanding how people acquire a second language.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Interlanguage is dynamic and constantly evolving as learners receive feedback and adjust their language use.
2. It can exhibit systematic patterns, such as overgeneralization, where learners apply grammatical rules too broadly based on their experiences.
3. Learners' interlanguage can vary significantly depending on their exposure to the target language and the contexts in which they use it.
4. Interlanguage can lead to creative forms of communication, allowing learners to express themselves even when they lack full proficiency.
5. Research on interlanguage helps educators develop effective teaching methods tailored to learners' specific needs at various stages of language acquisition.

Review Questions

• How does interlanguage reflect the process of second language acquisition, and what does it reveal about a learner's progression?
  • Interlanguage serves as a window into the second language acquisition process by demonstrating how learners integrate their native language knowledge with new input from the target language. It reveals that learners are actively constructing their own grammatical rules and vocabulary as they navigate their learning journey. This evolving linguistic system can highlight areas of strength and struggle, showing where learners may need additional support or practice.
• What role does fossilization play in the development of interlanguage, and how can it affect a learner's progress towards fluency?
  • Fossilization occurs when specific errors within a learner's interlanguage become entrenched and resistant to change. This can hinder their progress towards fluency because these persistent errors may interfere with effective communication. Understanding fossilization is crucial for educators, as it emphasizes the need for targeted feedback and intervention strategies to help learners overcome these obstacles and continue advancing in their language acquisition.
• Evaluate the implications of interlanguage for teaching practices in second language education, considering factors like feedback and exposure.
  • Interlanguage has significant implications for teaching practices in second language education because it underscores the importance of providing meaningful feedback and ample exposure to the target language. Teachers should recognize that interlanguage is not merely a series of mistakes but an essential part of the learning process that reflects individual learner journeys. By addressing specific errors while encouraging exploration and creativity within students' interlanguage, educators can create supportive environments that foster growth and ultimately lead to greater fluency in the target language.

Related terms

Fossilization:

The process by which certain erroneous linguistic features become permanent in a learner's interlanguage, preventing further progress toward fluency.

Transfer: The influence of a learner's first language on their second language use, which can manifest as both positive transfer (facilitating learning) and negative transfer (causing errors).

Critical Period Hypothesis: The theory suggesting that there is an optimal time frame for acquiring a language, typically believed to be during childhood, after which the ability to learn a language diminishes.