Describe what contrastive analysis is and what transfer is(both positive transfer and negative transfer)?
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Contrastive Analysis:
Contrastive Analysis is a linguistic theory that aims to understand and explain the differences and similarities between different languages. It focuses on comparing the structures and patterns of two or more languages to identify areas of similarity and divergence. The main objective of Contrastive Analysis is to predict the difficulties or errors that language learners may encounter when learning a new language, based on the differences between their native language and the target language.
In the context of second language acquisition, Contrastive Analysis assumes that the difficulties in learning a new language are mainly caused by the interference of the learner's native language. By identifying the differences between the native and target languages, teachers and researchers can develop effective teaching methods and materials that address specific areas of difficulty.
Transfer:
Transfer, in the field of second language acquisition, refers to the influence of the learner's native language on their acquisition and use of a new language. It suggests that the knowledge, skills, and habits developed in the native language can have both positive and negative effects on the learning process of the target language.
Positive Transfer:
Positive transfer occurs when the similarities between the native and target languages facilitate language learning. This means that knowledge or skills acquired in the native language can be applied directly to the target language. For example, if a learner's native language and the target language have similar word order patterns, the learner may have an easier time grasping and using word order correctly in the target language.
Negative Transfer:
Negative transfer, also known as interference or cross-linguistic influence, occurs when the differences between the native and target languages result in errors or difficulties in language learning. Learners may apply grammatical rules, pronunciation patterns, or vocabulary from their native language to the new language, which may not be appropriate or accurate. For example, a learner whose native language uses different verb tenses may make errors in using the correct tense in the target language due to the influence of their native language.
In summary, Contrastive Analysis helps identify the differences and similarities between languages to predict potential difficulties for language learners. Transfer refers to how the native language influences the learning of a new language, with positive transfer benefiting the learning process and negative transfer causing errors or difficulties.