The effect of a learner’s native language on learning another language is called?

The effect of a learner’s native language on learning another language is called?

• A. Interference
• B. Cotext
• C. Register
• D. Conversion

Answer: (A)

This item tests how a learner’s native language can affect acquiring a new language. That effect is interference, also known as language transfer, where features from the first language—sounds, grammar, vocabulary, or word order—carry over into the second language. This can lead to errors like omitting articles because the L1 doesn’t require them, or applying L1 word order to English. Context is about how language is used in different situations, and register concerns style and formality, not L1 influence. Conversion isn’t the term used for this phenomenon in language learning. Interference best captures the idea that the native language can shape how a new language is learned and produced.

This item tests how a learner’s native language can affect acquiring a new language. That effect is interference, also known as language transfer, where features from the first language—sounds, grammar, vocabulary, or word order—carry over into the second language. This can lead to errors like omitting articles because the L1 doesn’t require them, or applying L1 word order to English.

Context is about how language is used in different situations, and register concerns style and formality, not L1 influence. Conversion isn’t the term used for this phenomenon in language learning. Interference best captures the idea that the native language can shape how a new language is learned and produced.