Native Language Plays a Major Role in Second Language Acquisition

Native Language Plays A Major Role in Second Language Acquisition

Introduction

During the process of second language acquisition the transference from first language is a phenomenon which is universal and has a profound effect on the transition. The individual's first language also known as 'mother tongue' has a major impact on his learning of the second. The impact may be either negative or positive. These phenomenons are known as negative transfer or positive transfer. The term 'transfer' is used generally and describes the carry forth of previous performance or the knowledge related to the following learning (Ellis, 2003).

The positive transfer takes place when the native language formations are used the creation or the production of utterance in second language and it is additionally also an aspect of the norms of the second language. The role of transfer becomes facilitative in this case. On the other hand, negative transfer takes place when the forms of the mother tongue are employed in the production or utterance of second language or are not an aspect of the norms of the second language. The individual as result speaks incorrectly or 'grammatically' incorrect sentences (according to the standards and callings of the second language). The role of transfer becomes inhibitive in this case. The paper shall first discuss the negative transfer and then the positive transfer effects on the acquisition of second language. This paper shall focus on two empirical studies and their findings.

Discussion

In the study conducted by (Ellis, 2003), the people who were taken as a sample were Chinese people who were trying to learn English language. The modern world has English as the common language but however, Chinese is also fast becoming a popular language.

The Form and Classification of First Language Negative Transfer

Lexicology

All words are expressed in different manner in any different language. Speaking on general terms, all languages have their own individual collocation, word-formation and more. In the study it was observed that for foreign learners, particularly those who are just beginning their studies, meanings are the first obstacle (Ellis, 2003). In a particular context they are able to translate the words from their mother tongues to the secondary tongue equivalently however these words often lose their original meaning because of having multiple meanings. Countless examples which are considered to be 'funny' can be found everywhere in the world. These are often referred to as chinglish. Examples of chinglish signs can be found in the Appendices.

The affective meaning, associative meaning and the connotation of each language are unique as well. All the 'words' which are the fundamental units that make up the language are full of cultural meanings. Their implications are also varied and differ from language to language. For instance, dogs are treated like loyal companions while for Chinese people the word dog is always associated in a negative sense (Sinha, Banerjee, Sinha & Shastri, 2009).

Phonology

In terms of phonology English is an intonation language while Chinese is a language ...