IngentaConnect Bidirectional Transfer

Authors: A. Pavlenko¹; S. Jarvis²

Source: Applied Linguistics, Volume 23, Number 2, June 2002 , pp. 190-214(25)

Abstract:

This paper argues for a refinement in the traditional approach to transfer in SLA, where transfer is generally investigated as the unidirectional influence of native (or other language) knowledge on the acquisition and use of a second language. We show that transfer can be bidirectional, influencing an individual's use of both the L1 and L2. We further argue that bidirectional transfer can be simultaneous or synchronic and base this conclusion on the results of our analysis of oral narratives produced by 22 Russian L2 users of English, who learned English post-puberty after having lived in the USA for 3–8 years. The narratives, collected in Russian and English, demonstrate that crosslinguistic influence works both ways in the oral production of these L2 users: while Russian continues to influence their English, Their English has begun to influence their Russian as well. We discuss the factors that may influence the directionality and amount of transfer in these L2 users, as well as ways in which various types of transfer are similar and different in their two languages. Then, we outline the implications of our findings for the future study of transfer in SLA and bilingualism.

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