tværsproglighed

Tværsproglighed, often translated as cross-linguistic influence or language transfer, refers to the way in which a speaker's knowledge of one language affects their use of another. This influence can manifest in various ways, including pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary, and discourse. It is a common phenomenon for individuals who speak more than one language, whether they are bilinguals, multilinguals, or language learners.

Cross-linguistic influence can be either positive or negative. Positive transfer occurs when features of one language are similar to features of another, making learning or using the second language easier. For example, a Spanish speaker learning Italian may benefit from cognates (words with similar origins and meanings) and grammatical structures that are alike in both languages. Negative transfer, also known as interference, happens when differences between languages lead to errors or deviations in the target language. A classic example is an English speaker learning French and incorrectly applying English word order to French sentences.

The extent and nature of tværsproglighed depend on several factors. These include the proficiency of the speaker in each language, the degree of similarity or difference between the languages involved, the age at which the languages were acquired, and the context in which the languages are used. Research in this area is crucial for understanding language acquisition, bilingualism, and the cognitive processes involved in managing multiple linguistic systems. It also informs pedagogical approaches in language teaching, helping educators to anticipate and address potential areas of interference.