Which term describes the phenomenon when language learners apply the rules of their native language to the language they are learning?

Which term describes the phenomenon when language learners apply the rules of their native language to the language they are learning?

• A. Interference (negative transfer)
• B. Overgeneralization
• C. Code-switching
• D. Fossilization

Answer: (A)

When learners bring rules from their first language into the language they’re learning, that cross-language influence can shape how they use the new language. This is interference, also called negative transfer, because the L1 rules interfere with producing correct L2 forms or patterns. For example, if a learner’s native language doesn’t use articles the same way English does, they might omit articles like in “I have dog” instead of “I have a dog.” Or they might apply word order from their L1, saying something like “the house blue” instead of “the blue house.” These kinds of errors reflect the native language’s influence rather than mistakes made by applying the target language’s own rules. Overgeneralization is different: it’s when learners apply a broad rule within the target language itself, such as adding -ed to all verbs to form past tense (goed, runned), which isn’t about L1 transfer but about over-applying patterns in English. Code-switching is mixing languages within discourse, not a transfer of grammar rules per se. Fossilization refers to errors that become permanent over time despite instruction. Because the question asks for the term for applying native-language rules to the new language, interference is the best fit.

When learners bring rules from their first language into the language they’re learning, that cross-language influence can shape how they use the new language. This is interference, also called negative transfer, because the L1 rules interfere with producing correct L2 forms or patterns. For example, if a learner’s native language doesn’t use articles the same way English does, they might omit articles like in “I have dog” instead of “I have a dog.” Or they might apply word order from their L1, saying something like “the house blue” instead of “the blue house.” These kinds of errors reflect the native language’s influence rather than mistakes made by applying the target language’s own rules.

Overgeneralization is different: it’s when learners apply a broad rule within the target language itself, such as adding -ed to all verbs to form past tense (goed, runned), which isn’t about L1 transfer but about over-applying patterns in English. Code-switching is mixing languages within discourse, not a transfer of grammar rules per se. Fossilization refers to errors that become permanent over time despite instruction. Because the question asks for the term for applying native-language rules to the new language, interference is the best fit.