Negotiation of Meaning in Applied Linguistics
Negotiation of meaning is a key concept in applied linguistics, particularly in the field of second language acquisition (SLA). It refers to the interactive process where language learners and speakers work together to clarify and establish shared understanding of meaning during communication. This process often involves:
1. Identifying breakdowns in communication: Recognizing when a message is not understood clearly. This can be due to factors like:
* Lexical gaps: Not knowing the meaning of a word or phrase.
* Grammatical errors: Misinterpreting grammatical structures.
* Cultural differences: Misunderstanding social cues or cultural references.
* Background knowledge gaps: Lacking shared context or information.
2. Repairing communication breakdowns: Finding ways to resolve the misunderstanding and ensure successful communication. This can involve:
* Clarification requests: Asking for more information, rephrasing, or requesting an explanation.
* Confirmation checks: Verifying understanding by repeating, summarizing, or asking for confirmation.
* Simplification: Using simpler language or providing more examples.
* Negotiating meaning: Working together to find a shared understanding of the message.
Importance of Negotiation of Meaning:
* Facilitates language learning: By actively participating in negotiation, learners can acquire new vocabulary, grammar, and cultural knowledge.
* Improves communication competence: Learning to effectively identify and repair communication breakdowns enhances fluency and accuracy.
* Builds learner confidence: Successfully negotiating meaning increases learner confidence in their ability to communicate.
* Promotes collaborative learning: It fosters an environment where learners work together to achieve shared understanding.
Examples of Negotiation of Meaning:
* Learner: "I want to go the cinema."
* Native speaker: "Cinema? What do you mean? Do you mean the movies?"
* Learner: "Yes, I want to go to the movies."
* Learner: "I need to go to the bank."
* Native speaker: "What bank? Do you mean the river?"
* Learner: "No, I mean the financial institution. I need to get some money."
Applications in Applied Linguistics:
* Language teaching: Using negotiation of meaning as a pedagogical tool in classrooms to promote active learning and interaction.
* Second language acquisition research: Studying how negotiation of meaning influences learner development and language acquisition processes.
* Intercultural communication: Understanding how negotiation of meaning plays a role in bridging cultural differences and fostering successful communication.
Overall, negotiation of meaning is a vital element of communication, especially in second language contexts. It allows individuals to overcome communication barriers and achieve shared understanding, contributing to both language learning and effective intercultural communication.