language transfer

noun

Synonym of language shift.

Similar
language shift
Ask AI about this wordChatGPTClaudePerplexityGoogle AIGrok

Meanings

nounlanguage transfer (countable and uncountable, plural language transfers)

plural language transfers

  1. countablehuman sciencesSynonym of language shift.

    Synonyms: language shift

  2. uncountablehuman sciencesThe (correct or incorrect) application of linguistic features (grammar, vocabulary, etc.) from one language to another, such as false friends.

    At present, language transfer is not viewed as the manifestation of a learner's inability to resist first-language patterns; instead, it is thought to interact with L2 developmental processes, […].

    1985, Jack C. Richards, The Context of Language Teaching, Cambridge University Press, →ISBN

Synonyms & antonyms

nounSynonym of language shift.

Similar
language shift
Also see
language shift
Cite this entry
APA

language transfer. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/language%20transfer

MLA

“language transfer.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/language%20transfer. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “language transfer,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/language%20transfer.

Source: language transfer on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.