Which term describes the cross-language transfer of knowledge from a learner's first language to a second language?

Which term describes the cross-language transfer of knowledge from a learner's first language to a second language?

• A. Language Transfer
• B. Written Language
• C. Word Awareness
• D. Phoneme Segmentation

Answer: (A)

Language transfer is when knowledge from a learner’s first language appears in the second language. This happens because the brain uses familiar patterns from L1 to help process and produce the new language, so learners might apply grammar rules, word order, or vocabulary choices from their native language when speaking or writing in the second language. It’s a natural part of learning a new language and helps explain why learners sometimes produce phrases that reflect their native language even as they try to communicate in the target language. For example, a learner might use direct translations or L1-style sentence structure, or rely on cognates in ways that aren’t fully appropriate in the new language. The other terms describe different skills or areas: Written Language focuses on writing and reading systems, Word Awareness is about recognizing and understanding words, and Phoneme Segmentation deals with breaking words into individual sounds in phonology.

Language transfer is when knowledge from a learner’s first language appears in the second language. This happens because the brain uses familiar patterns from L1 to help process and produce the new language, so learners might apply grammar rules, word order, or vocabulary choices from their native language when speaking or writing in the second language. It’s a natural part of learning a new language and helps explain why learners sometimes produce phrases that reflect their native language even as they try to communicate in the target language. For example, a learner might use direct translations or L1-style sentence structure, or rely on cognates in ways that aren’t fully appropriate in the new language. The other terms describe different skills or areas: Written Language focuses on writing and reading systems, Word Awareness is about recognizing and understanding words, and Phoneme Segmentation deals with breaking words into individual sounds in phonology.