Bidirectional Influence between Languages: Theoretical Foundations and Pedagogical Implications

Abstract:

There has been extensive research into how L₁ affects L₂, commonly known as ‘negative influence’, but a lot less about the opposite direction, commonly known as ‘Reverse or Backward’ transfer.The present study attempts to examine and critically review pertinent research into the question of bidirectional influence between languages.  First, it traces the conceptual framework of the notion L₁ →L₂ effect.  Second, it attempts to demonstrate how an emerging new language (L₂) affects the existing L₁.  Although there are several ways of conceptualizing L₂ influence on L₁, the focus, in the present study, is on the concept of “Multi-Competence” introduced by Cook (1991) and how it shifts the evaluation angle of the interlanguage system.  Third, it examines the pedagogical aspects of both directions, as manifested in L₂ classroom.