Chapter 3. From Julie to Wes to Alberto
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ZhaoHong Han
Abstract
This chapter revisits the construct of fossilization, the bedrock of Selinker’s (1972) Interlanguage Hypothesis. After reviewing the early conception of fossilization, I focus my discussion on intra-learner, and to a lesser extent, inter-learner differential success or failure, arguing that fossilization is selective, idiosyncratic, and contingent. I end the discussion by underscoring that the study of fossilization is less about revealing deviances from the presumed norm than about resolving a dual cognitive conflict, namely, why is it that in spite of propitious conditions, development is cut short in some areas? And why is the developmental interruption made most apparent when learners attempt self-expressions (i.e., meaning-based production) in the target language?
Abstract
This chapter revisits the construct of fossilization, the bedrock of Selinker’s (1972) Interlanguage Hypothesis. After reviewing the early conception of fossilization, I focus my discussion on intra-learner, and to a lesser extent, inter-learner differential success or failure, arguing that fossilization is selective, idiosyncratic, and contingent. I end the discussion by underscoring that the study of fossilization is less about revealing deviances from the presumed norm than about resolving a dual cognitive conflict, namely, why is it that in spite of propitious conditions, development is cut short in some areas? And why is the developmental interruption made most apparent when learners attempt self-expressions (i.e., meaning-based production) in the target language?
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Acknowledgements vii
- Introduction 1
- Chapter 1. Enduring questions from the Interlanguage Hypothesis 7
- Chapter 2. Rediscovering prediction 27
- Chapter 3. From Julie to Wes to Alberto 47
- Chapter 4. Interlanguage, transfer and fossilization 75
- Chapter 5. The limits of instruction 105
- Chapter 6. Documenting interlanguage development 127
- Chapter 7. Methodological influences of “Interlanguage” (1972) 147
- Chapter 8. Trying out theories on interlanguage 173
- Chapter 9. Another step to be taken – Rethinking the end point of the interlanguage continuum 203
- Chapter 10. Interlanguage 40 years on 221
- Name index 247
- Subject index 253
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Acknowledgements vii
- Introduction 1
- Chapter 1. Enduring questions from the Interlanguage Hypothesis 7
- Chapter 2. Rediscovering prediction 27
- Chapter 3. From Julie to Wes to Alberto 47
- Chapter 4. Interlanguage, transfer and fossilization 75
- Chapter 5. The limits of instruction 105
- Chapter 6. Documenting interlanguage development 127
- Chapter 7. Methodological influences of “Interlanguage” (1972) 147
- Chapter 8. Trying out theories on interlanguage 173
- Chapter 9. Another step to be taken – Rethinking the end point of the interlanguage continuum 203
- Chapter 10. Interlanguage 40 years on 221
- Name index 247
- Subject index 253
