The effect of a learner’s native language on learning another language is called?

• A. Interference
• B. Cotext
• C. Register
• D. Conversion

Answer: (A)

Interference occurs when features of a learner’s native language intrude into the process of learning and using a second language. This transfer can affect pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary, and usage, often leading to errors that mirror the structures of the first language. For example, a learner whose L1 lacks articles might omit articles in English, or someone whose language uses a different sentence structure might apply that structure to English, causing word order or agreement mistakes. Understanding interference helps explain why learners sometimes struggle despite effort, because their first-language habits are shaping how they produce the new language. The other terms describe different ideas: context or register relates to when and how language is used in social situations, not the cross-language influence, and conversion or cotext aren’t about this transfer phenomenon.