Here's a breakdown of its key features:
* A dynamic system: Interlanguage is constantly evolving as the learner progresses. It changes with the learner's exposure to the target language and their understanding of its grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation.
* A simplified system: Interlanguage often simplifies the target language, using rules and structures that are easier to grasp. This can lead to errors, but it's a natural part of the learning process.
* Influenced by the native language: The learner's first language (L1) influences the interlanguage, causing "transfer" of grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. This can lead to both positive and negative influences.
* Not a random collection of errors: Interlanguage is systematic and follows its own internal logic. Learners often develop their own "rules" based on their understanding of the target language, which may be partially correct or incorrect.
* A stepping stone to fluency: Interlanguage is a necessary stage in language acquisition. As learners develop their proficiency, their interlanguage will gradually converge with the target language.
Examples of Interlanguage:
* A learner saying "I goed to the store" instead of "I went to the store." This shows a transfer of the past tense rule from their native language.
* A learner using incorrect word order, such as "The book I read yesterday" instead of "The book I read yesterday was interesting." This indicates a misunderstanding of English sentence structure.
* A learner pronouncing words with a strong accent, which may reflect the influence of their native language's pronunciation patterns.
Significance of Interlanguage:
Understanding interlanguage is crucial for language teachers and researchers:
* It helps teachers identify learner errors and provide targeted feedback.
* It provides insights into the language learning process and the factors that influence it.
* It emphasizes that language learning is a gradual process, not a simple matter of memorization.
Interlanguage is a fascinating and complex aspect of second language acquisition. It highlights the dynamic interplay between the learner's native language, the target language, and their individual learning strategies.