Transfer in language learning

L2 L1 L2 L2

(between two (the mistakes

languages) within one

language)

Overgeneralization

• Definition:
• Overgeneralization is the application of a grammatical rule in cases where it does not apply.
• Ex: Yesterday I goed to see Tom, But I heared that he was not at home.
• They seed two mouses at the corner.

Types of overgeneralization

• Phonetic
• Lexical
• Grammatical overgeneralization
• Discourse based overgeneralization

Phonetic overgeneralization

• Pronouncing the sounds with exceptions according to the general rule:
• Ex: In English language sound system we have rules:

1) oo [ u:] book,took,look

2) u [ Ʌ] upset,unusual

3) e – soundless at the end of the word. Same , came,name

But we have some exceptions:

1) blood [ bləd]

2) bush [ bʋʃ ] , put [ pʋt]

Lexical overgeneralization

• In lexical type the language learner uses wrong word combination instead of saying the correct word:

teaspoon – little spoon

dentist – tooth doctor

hairdresser (for men x)

barber (for women x)

air balloon – air ball

Grammatical overgeneralization

• To use general grammatical rules for all situations even in exceptions:

man – mans instead of men

goose – gooses instead of geese

Lack of knowledge in L1 (L2) is the main reason for it.

Irregular verbs and irregular plural form of nouns are the main source of grammatical overgeneralization.

Discourse based overgeneralization

• Speech styles:
• Offical
• Scientific
• Bellesletres
• Publisistic
• Newspaper
• Using the words of one style while speaking in the other one.
• When you are writing an article(scientific style) you can’t use the vocabulary of bellesletres. If it happens it will be discourse based overgeneralization.