It’s been one of those weeks when I’ve been confronted with several transfer errors from German to English. Basically, a transfer error is the result of a direct translation from the native language of a student to the foreign language the student is learning. We call them L1 errors (errors arising directly from the student’s first language). Of course it’s normal to make mistakes when communicating in another language; however, there’s a risk that transfer errors can become fossilised. This happens when an error is made so habitually that it just becomes a normal part of the learner’s vocabulary. As a result, the error goes undetected by the learner.
Fossilised errors are notoriously difficult for the advanced learner to correct because:
They’ve been allowed to habitually make the same error(s) for an extended period of time and as a result they may not even be aware that there’s a problem.
Even when they are made aware of the problem, it’s so ingrained it requires repeated targeted correction.
In a perfect world, transfer errors would be stamped out at the source. However, this isn’t a perfect world. Teachers operate in classrooms where they are expected to tend to the needs of 20+ pupils and yet somehow tailor all their lessons to everyone’s needs. It’s a monumental task. The ubiquity of German makes it even harder to detect some transfer errors simply because they don’t register as an error with the instructor; therefore, they go uncorrected.
What can you do as a learner or an educator? First of all, make yourself aware of typical transfer errors. If these errors crop up, correct them immediately. Be prepared to repeat the process of identifying and correcting the error many times until it eventually remedies itself.
Episode six of my podcast tackles three fairly typical transfer errors from German to English. I’m sure that this is a topic I will return to repeatedly. I’d love to hear your thoughts on transfer errors and how to remedy them. Feel free to join the conversation!
