LOTE Grammar and Syntax Flashcards

What is 'interlanguage' in LOTE acquisition?

Answer: The developing language system of a learner that has features of both the native and target language

Interlanguage is the evolving linguistic system learners develop as they progress toward target language proficiency, containing both native language influences and target language features.

What is 'negative transfer' (also called interference) in LOTE grammar learning?

Answer: When a learner incorrectly applies rules from their native language to the target language

Negative transfer occurs when learners apply a native language structure that doesn't work in the target language, causing an error.

What grammatical structure in many LOTEs does not exist in English and often challenges American learners?

Answer: Grammatical gender assigned to nouns

Many languages like Spanish, French, German, and Mandarin assign grammatical gender or complex noun classification systems that English lacks, making it a common challenge.

What is a 'verb conjugation' in LOTE grammar?

Answer: Changing the form of a verb to match the subject, tense, mood, or aspect

Verb conjugation involves altering the verb's ending or form to agree with the subject in person, number, tense, and mood.

What is 'aspect' in LOTE grammar, often a challenge in languages like Spanish or Mandarin?

Answer: A grammatical feature that indicates whether an action is ongoing, completed, or habitual

Aspect describes how an action unfolds over time — whether it is completed, ongoing, or habitual — distinct from tense which locates action in time.

What is 'focus on form' (FonF) in communicative LOTE grammar instruction?

Answer: Briefly drawing attention to grammar during a communicative task when an error affects meaning

Focus on form involves incidental, brief attention to grammatical features that arise naturally during communication, rather than isolated grammar drills.