The Role of First Language in Foreign Language Learning

TLDR

Foreign language learning is heavily influenced by the learner’s first language, and recent emphasis on learning processes has reframed traditional transfer studies, especially among culturally similar but linguistically distinct Finnish and Swedish speakers. The book investigates the underlying processes of foreign language learning. Using Finnish data, the book compares Finnish‑ and Swedish‑speaking Finns learning English and analyzes how first‑language knowledge shapes comprehension and production. The study shows that learning a related language differs markedly from an unrelated one, highlighting the critical role of perceived similarity between first and target languages, and summarizes implications for teaching.

Abstract

Of the many variables affecting foreign language learning, the learner's first language is of especially great importance. The recent emphasis on language learning processes rather than linguistic products has given a new slant to what was earlier known as transfer studies. This book is concerned with the foreign language learner's underlying processes. It is based on data from Finland showing the differences between Finnish-speaking and Swedish-speaking Finns learning English. These two groups are close to each other culturally and educationally, though they are linguistically quite different. The results of the study reveal clear differences between learning a foreign language that is related and a language that is unrelated to the learner's first language. The basic importance of perceived similarities between the first language and the target language is stressed. The book analyses the different ways in which the learner's knowledge of the first language and other languages affect the processes of comprehension and production. A concluding section of the book sums up the relevance of its findings for foreign language teaching.