Chapter 4. Interlanguage, transfer and fossilization
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Silvina Montrul
Abstract
Selinker’s (1972) Interlanguage proposal lies at the heart of linguistic approaches to adult second language acquisition, especially subsumed under the theory of Universal Grammar. Much research in recent years has directly addressed the what, how, and why of transfer and fossilization, yet these are not unique to adult L2 learners, but can also be found in other bilingual situations. This chapter discusses first how the generative linguistics perspective has contributed to refining and clarifying Selinker’s idea, while the second part takes issue with Selinker’s characterization of bilingual varieties and illustrates transfer and fossilization in individual bilingualism more broadly defined. The chapter concludes with questions for future directions to pursue a deeper understanding of the interlanguage phenomenon beyond second language acquisition.
Abstract
Selinker’s (1972) Interlanguage proposal lies at the heart of linguistic approaches to adult second language acquisition, especially subsumed under the theory of Universal Grammar. Much research in recent years has directly addressed the what, how, and why of transfer and fossilization, yet these are not unique to adult L2 learners, but can also be found in other bilingual situations. This chapter discusses first how the generative linguistics perspective has contributed to refining and clarifying Selinker’s idea, while the second part takes issue with Selinker’s characterization of bilingual varieties and illustrates transfer and fossilization in individual bilingualism more broadly defined. The chapter concludes with questions for future directions to pursue a deeper understanding of the interlanguage phenomenon beyond second language acquisition.
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
