negative transfer

noun

The unsuccessful use by a language learner of a construct from the learner's source language in the target language, such that the resulting utterance in the target language is incorrect.

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Meanings

nounnegative transfer (usually uncountable, plural negative transfers)

plural negative transfers

  1. uncountableusuallyhuman sciencesThe unsuccessful use by a language learner of a construct from the learner's source language in the target language, such that the resulting utterance in the target language is incorrect.
Cite this entry
APA

negative transfer. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/negative%20transfer

MLA

“negative transfer.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/negative%20transfer. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “negative transfer,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/negative%20transfer.

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