positive transfer

noun

The successful 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 correct.

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Meanings

nounpositive transfer (usually uncountable, plural positive transfers)

plural positive transfers

  1. uncountableusuallyhuman sciencesThe successful 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 correct.
Cite this entry
APA

positive transfer. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/positive%20transfer

MLA

“positive transfer.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/positive%20transfer. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “positive transfer,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/positive%20transfer.

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