The author shows how similarities and differences between languages can influence grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation acquisition. Terence Odlin reconsiders a question that many language teachers and educational researchers have addressed: How much influence can a learner's native language have in making the acquisition of a new language easy or difficult? Odlin analyzes and interprets research showing many ways in which similarities and differences between languages can influence the acquisition of grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. In addition, he provides a detailed look at work on other areas important for the study of transfer, including discourse, individual variation, and sociolinguistic factors. Language teachers, applied linguists, and educational researchers will find this volume extremely valuable to their work.

The author shows how similarities and differences between languages can influence grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation acquisition.
Reviews
"I find this book to be extremely readable...I believe that the incorporation of the glossary will make it as readable and enjoyable for students as it was for me. There is no doubt in my mind that this is a book that has long been needed and for which there will be great demand." Jacquelyn Schachter, Language "This book is packed with information gleaned from the author's comprehensive review of the literature on the long-controversial topic of language transfer...One need not be a linguist or psychologist to profit from reading the work, as it is written in a very readable, non-technical style, and a glossary is provided for the limited number of technical terms the author does use." Gordon L. Jackson, Polylingua



Book Information
ISBN 9780521378093
Author Terence Odlin
Format Paperback
Page Count 224
Imprint Cambridge University Press
Publisher Cambridge University Press
Weight(grams) 305g
Dimensions(mm) 227mm * 152mm * 23mm