What term describes the evolving system of language approximations a learner uses as they acquire a second language?

• A. Interlanguage
• B. Input
• C. Intake
• D. Interference

Answer: (A)

The evolving system of language approximations a learner uses as they acquire a second language is called interlanguage. This is the learner’s own developing set of rules and forms—temporary and imperfect—that sits between their first language and the target language. It’s constantly changing as new input is encountered, hypotheses about how the language works are tested, and feedback is used to adjust. Interlanguage can show transfer from the learner’s L1, overgeneralizations, and partial accuracies, and it may fossilize if growth stalls. The other terms refer to parts of the learning process (input as the data received, intake as the portion actually internalized, interference as L1 influence) rather than the learner’s whole evolving system.