L2 Theory: Contrastive Analysis

Question 1

L2 theoretical approaches

Answer 1

Contrastive analysis
Error analysis
UG (linguistic)
Monitor model
Sociocultural approach

Question 2

Contrastive analysis claim

Answer 2

Principal barrier of L2acquisition is interference of L1system
Scientific, structural analysis of 2 languages provides a listing of contrasts to predict difficulties

Question 3

Is the contrastive analysis a behaviouristic or structuralist approach?

Answer 3

Both

Question 4

Contrastive analysis hypothesis (CAH)

Answer 4

Similarities across languages result in easier learning
Differences lead to greater learning difficulties

Question 5

Strong version of CAH

Answer 5

Contrastive analysis can predict difficulty and errors

Question 6

Claims from CAH for teaching (think audio-lingual method)

Answer 6

Language learning involves establishing new sets of habits
The major sources of errors in L2 is the L1
One can account for errors by considering L1/L2 differences
The greater the differences, the more the errors
Difficulty and ease determined by differences and similarities between 2 languages
Intensive techniques (repetition or drills) to overcome interference, establish new habits

Question 7

Hierarchy of difficulty

Answer 7

Level 0, transfer
Level 1, coalescence
Level 2, underdifferentiation
Level 3, reinterpretation
Level 4, overdifferentiation
Level 5, split

Question 8

Problems with hierarchy of difficulty

Answer 8

Partial correspondences (/r/)
No account taken of number/ complexity of factors determining correct choice
Often subtle differences cause problems , not differences alone
Difference (linguistic) and difficulty (psychological ) are not the same
Subjectivity

Question 9

Evidence contradicting CAH

Answer 9

Many grammatical errors tend to not reflect learner’s L1
L2 learners make many errors in areas of grammar comparable in both L1 and L2
L2 learners judgement of grammaticality more related to L2 sentence type than L1 structure

Question 10

Current terminology instead of CAH

Answer 10

Cross-linguistic influence (CLI)