UNIVERSIDADE UNIPÚNGUE

FACULDADE DE LETRAS, CIÊNCIAS SOCIAIS E HUMANIDADES

DEPARTAMENTO DE LINGUÍSTICA E TRADUÇÃO

CURSO DE LICENCIATURA EM ENSINO DE INGLÊS - 1° ANO – EAD

Language as a habit formation – errors due to transfer (inter-language)

and development

Chimoio, April de 2024

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 UNIVERSIDADE UNIPÚNGUE

1st Semester

1st year

Discente:

Marília João Domingos Mussona

Tutor: Dr. Amone Matandaudje

Chimoio, April de 2024

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Table of Content
1. LANGUAGE ......................................................................................................................... 4
2. HABIT................................................................................................................................... 4
2.1. Language as a habit formation ...................................................................................... 4
3. LANGUAGE THROUGH READING HABIT .................................................................... 7
4. References: ............................................................................................................................ 8

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1. LANGUAGE

Language is expression of personality in words, whether written or spoken. It is the

universal medium alike for conveying the common facts and feeling of everyday life and
the philosophers searching for truth, all that lies between. Like any other way of
expressing the human mind, it must, by the very nature of its being, be both accurate
incomplete: and for this reason some modern philosophers have doubted its validity or
usefulness for the attempt to convey any kind of truth other than that which pertains
material things.

2. HABIT

Good or bad, right or wrong, accurate or inaccurate, habits die hard. The most plastic the
mind is the easier it is to form them. As the bend in the twig decides the shape of a tree,
so does the elementary training of the student in his linguistic performance. The habits of
human hands, in coordination with mind, get manifested not only in construction but also
destruction; so do those of the tongue not only in unacceptable utterences. As the hands
systematically trained in sculpture make statues, so do the tongues in language make
speech forms. creative application of training can make the former works of art and the
latter works of literature. Assimilation leads to application and application results in
creativity. What follows from this is that assimilation is primary, and when is at its best,
there is creativity.

2.1. Language as a habit formation

Refers to the concept of acquiring language skills through consistent practice and
repetition until using the language becomes automatic and ingrained as a habit. Earning
as habit formation. According to this theory, learners must overcome habits formed in
their native language to acquire proficiency in the target second language. In other words,
they need to unlearn native language habits that might interfere with the process of
forming new habits in second language.

However, as our understanding of second language. second language learning evolved,

researchers and practitioners moved away from purely behaviorist approaches. Instead,
they recognized the crucial role of social interactions in language acquisition. This shift
led to the rise of communicative approaches that emphasize meaning and interpersonal

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interactions. Second language. learning is no longer seen as mere habit formation; it
involves complex social and cognitive processes2.

Interestingly, the philosopher Hegel offers a unique perspective on habit. He

conceptualizes habit as comprising two dimensions:

Dexterous habit: This aspect relates to practical skills and abilities. It encompasses the
mechanical aspects of behavior.

Ethical habit or customs: Here, habit extends beyond mere mechanics. It includes cultural
norms, morality, and reflective self-awareness.

Hegel’s dual-nature view of habit provides a bridge between the traditional dichotomy of
behaviorist and social interactionist perspectives. Unlike strict behaviorism, which
focuses solely on mechanical habit formation, Hegel’s approach acknowledges the ethical
and reflective dimensions of human behavior. In the context of L second language. 2
learning, this means considering not only linguistic skills but also moral and cultural
aspects2.

In summary, while habit formation plays a role in language learning, it is essential to

recognize the broader context of social interactions, cultural norms, and individual
reflection. second language learners navigate a rich tapestry of habits, both dexterous and
ethical, as they embark on their linguistic journey.

In language learning, transfer errors occur when learners apply linguistic patterns or
structures from their native language to the target language second language. These errors
can result from the influence of native language habits, cultural differences, or cognitive
processes. Let’s explore some common types of transfer errors:

1. Interference Errors (Interlingual Errors):

o These errors stem from the direct influence of native language on second
language. . Learners transfer native language grammar, vocabulary, or
pronunciation rules to second language. .

o Examples:

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  False Friends: Using words that appear similar in both languages but
have different meanings (e.g., “actual” in English vs. “aktuell” in
German).

 Word Order: Incorrectly placing words due to L1 syntax (e.g., “I like

to eat pizza” instead of “I like pizza” influenced by Spanish).

 Pronunciation: Mispronouncing second language. sounds based on

native language phonetics.

2. Intralingual Errors (Developmental Errors):

o These errors arise from the natural process of language development. They
occur within the second language system itself.

o Examples:

 Overgeneralization: Applying a rule too broadly (e.g., “I goed to the

store” instead of “I went” due to second language. verb conjugation).

 Incomplete Acquisition: Using simplified forms before mastering

complex ones (e.g., omitting articles or prepositions).

 Fossilization: Persistently using incorrect forms despite exposure to

correct models.

3. Contextual Errors:

o These errors occur due to differences in cultural norms, pragmatics, or

discourse conventions.

o Examples:

 Politeness: Misusing second language. politeness markers (e.g., overly

formal or informal language).

 Idiomatic Expressions: Misinterpreting idiomatic phrases (e.g., “kick

the bucket” in English).

4. Developmental Stages Errors:

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 o Learners progress through predictable stages. Errors at each stage reflect their
evolving competence.

o Examples:

 Silent Period: Beginners may avoid speaking initially.

 Formulaic Speech: Relying on memorized chunks (e.g., “How are

you?” without understanding individual words).

5. Transfer from Other Languages:

o Multilingual learners may transfer features from additional languages they

know.

o Example:

 A Spanish speaker learning French might transfer Spanish word order

into French sentences.

6. Positive Transfer:

o Not all transfer is erroneous. Sometimes native language knowledge second

language. learning.

o Example:

 Similar vocabulary between Spanish and Italian can facilitate learning.

3. LANGUAGE THROUGH READING HABIT

Great leaders such as Jawaharhal Nehru, C.N. Annadurai were extremely good at reading
because of their reading habit they gained knowledge and enriched their language.
Reading is the only company which does not frustrate you at any point of time. Human
happiness is always conditional. But the happiness derived through the company of
reading is unconditional and everlasting. You should develop the habit of reading to be
independent and meaningful in life. An incident which was happened in Annadurai’s life
is worth recording. Anna Durai was a man known for voracious reading.

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4. References:

Satheesh Kumar.K (18MEN028), Sreenika.N (18MEN033) 1,2PG Student

1,2Department of English 1,2PSG College of Arts & Science, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu,
India.https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Julia-Falla-
Wood/publication/312161456_Errors_in_SecondForeign_Language_Learning_and_The
ir_Interpretations/links/58877da0a6fdcc6b791eb432/Errors-in-Second-Foreign-
Language-Learning-and-Their-Interpretations.pdf?origin=publication_detail\

https://escholarship.org/content/qt7cd3n9xh/qt7cd3n9xh.pdf?t=nnvnm5