1. Interlanguage
• Abstract linguistic rules developed by L2 learners
• A language system which is neither the L1, nor the L2
• A unique language system
• Underlies comprehension and production of L2
• The grammar system is permeable
• The grammar system is transitional

2. Interlanguage
To understand the concept of interlanguage we need to
consider two major learning theories:
1. Behaviourist learning theory:(1950s & 1960s)
• language learning involves habit formation
 habit = stimulus-response connection
• emphasize on what can be directly observed
• ignorance of what goes on in the `black box´ of the learner`s
mind
 cannot adequately account for L2 Acquisition (L2A),
because learning is not just a response to an external
stimuli.

3. Interlanguage
2. Mentalist theory of language learning: (1960s & 1970s)
• major shift in thinking in psychology and linguistics
• researchers switched their attention from the role of `nurture´ to
that of `nature´
• `nurture´  how environmental factors shape learning
• `nature´  how innate properties of the human mind shape learning
• mentalist view of L1 Acquisition:
• only human beings are capable of learning language
• they are equipped with a faculty for this, referred to as Language
Acquisition Device
• it is the primary determinant of LA
• input is needed, but only as a `trigger´
 The concept of interlanguage draws directly on the mentalist theory
with elements from cognitive psychology !

4. Interlanguage
• Interlanguage continuum – series of interim systems learner
construct in the process of acquiring an L2.
• Various learning strategies involved – errors reflect different learning
strategies
• Fossilization may happen – unique to L2 grammars.

5. Interlanguage
• Learning Strategies
– Language transfer - the learner uses her own L1 as a resource.
– Overgeneralization - the learner uses an L2 rule in situations in
which a native speaker would not.
- the phonetic level,
- at the grammatical level,
- at the lexical level
- at the level of discourse,

6. Interlanguage
• Learning Strategies
– Simplification - both syntactic and semantic - the learner uses
speech that resembles that of very young children or of pidgins.
• Language Transfer
– Negative transfer (interference)
– Positive transfer
– Avoidance
– Overuse