3. Differences
between L1
and L2
Difficulties Errors
Behaviourist Learning Theory:
Second Language Acquisition is prevented by the
interference of first language. It also claims that---
4. After a second look:
The difficulties or errors and the extent
of disparity between two languages will
be positively correlated.
It is not always true that great
differences create great difficulties and
numerous errors.
5. • Lee (1968) reported that he
experienced little interference from
his mother tongue, English, when
learning Chinese, and suggested that
this was because the structure of the
two languages were so different.
6. To be continued
According to Wode (1976), the condition of ‘a
crucial similarity measure’ between the L1 and L2
makes the possibility of interference.
He noted that interference from L1 German in the
L2 acquisition of English negatives and
interrogatives occurs only at particulars
developmental points.
He observed examples of post verb negation (e.g.
jhon go not to school ) and of inverted full verb
interrogatives (e.g. catch johni fish to day?), both of
which reflected the structure of German .
7. To be continued
In other respect, the development of both L2
English negatives and interrogatives paralleled that
observed in L1 acquisition.
That is, in general, transfer did not appear to be a
major factor.
Wode (1976: 27) concluded that certain condition
have to be met for what is commonly called
interference to take place at all. He argued that the
notion of interference had to be developmentalized
if it was to provide any fruitful insights
8. To be continued
Jacksons (1981) found that if the comparison was a
gross one , errors did not usually occurred. Errors
appeared when there were some similarities and
some contrasts between equivalent items or
structures in the two languages.
Actually , the need for relative similarities between
items for interference to take place is not contrary
to transfer theory.
9. Zobi (1983) argues that if any
account is not taken of the nature
of L2 , contrastive grammar will
tend to overpredict.
Actually ,transfer theory is not
contrary to the notion that relative
similarities between L1 and L2
make interference.
10. James (1980) notes that the Skaggs and
Robinson hypothesis, framed in 1927, states
that
interference is
greatest when
there is a
certain
degree of
similarity
between L1
and L2.
It eases when
the learning
tasks have
“neutral
resemblance”.
11. • It is clear that interference takes
place in certain contexts.
• This empirical research of the role of
the L1 on the L2 learning has tried to
predict or explain when interference
takes place. That’s why it tries to
identify the elements what the crucial
similarity measures consist of.
12. This task is very complex, as it
requires to balance
psychological
factor
linguistic
factor
