language transfer
[/ˈlæŋɡwɪdʒ ˈtrænsfər/]
nounpl: language transfers
transferência linguística
1. The application of linguistic elements, structures, or habits from one language to another, especially when learning a second language
Language transfer often occurs when Spanish speakers learning English pronounce 'th' sounds as 'd' or 't' because Spanish lacks the 'th' phoneme.
A transferência linguística ocorre frequentemente quando falantes de espanhol aprendendo inglês pronunciam sons 'th' como 'd' ou 't' porque o espanhol não possui o fonema 'th'.
2. The influence of a learner's native language on their acquisition and use of a target language
Negative language transfer can create pronunciation errors, while positive transfer facilitates learning when structures are similar.
A transferência linguística negativa pode criar erros de pronúncia, enquanto a transferência positiva facilita o aprendizado quando as estruturas são semelhantes.
3. In linguistics, the process by which features of one language influence the structure or use of another language in a multilingual speaker
Code-switching is sometimes a result of language transfer between two languages.
A alternância de código às vezes é resultado da transferência linguística entre dois idiomas.
This term is primarily used in academic and educational contexts in both Brazil and the USA, particularly in language teaching, linguistics departments, and second language acquisition research. It is essential terminology for English teachers in Brazil working with Portuguese speakers, and for Portuguese teachers in the USA working with English speakers. Understanding language transfer is crucial for effective language instruction and accent reduction programs.
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