L1 transfer (language interference) 母語遷移 (母语迁移)

mǔyǔ qiānyí · from English

What is L1 transfer in language learning?

L1 transfer is the influence of your first language on a new one, helping where they match and causing errors where they differ.

Positive transfer makes shared features easy, such as SOV order for a Korean learning Japanese. Negative transfer, or interference, causes errors like flattening tones or dropping articles. It also explains most foreign accents.

Examples

English speakers flattening Mandarin tones on questions; Japanese speakers merging l and r; Chinese speakers dropping English articles; Korean speakers finding Japanese grammar easy

Kungfucius says: Your native language is a helpful friend who keeps grabbing the steering wheel.