A second language might be challenging to learn. Thinking about syntax, rules, and pronunciation is always challenging, but it gets even more challenging when your primary language is influencing you. This article focuses on the ways you can neutralize mother tongue interference in your second language acquisition.
What steps can be taken then to lessen its influence?
Knowing where your primary language is coming from will help you to lessen it. You may be better prepared to begin lessening the influence depending on how you process language and your level of linguistic awareness.
What is Mother Tongue Interference?
Mother-tongue interference refers to how the learner’s primary language affects their ability to learn a second or foreign language. As a result, it is discovered that the Arabic language hinders Arabs from learning English, particularly when it comes to using English articles.
You’ve been using your native language since you were a little child ( may it be Hindi, Bengali, Bhojpuri, Swahili, Yoruba, Malayalam, or Tamil). Your tongue rolls in a particular way because of habit. This is why your mother language has an impact on how you pronounce some words and your accent.
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How to Quickly Learn a new Language
1. Make language learning objectives.
Setting goals for your desired outcomes is the first step in quickly learning a new language. Considered carefully, this makes a lot of sense. How do you know what you want to accomplish and gauge whether you have done so without having goals?
Most of us are intimidated by the thought of learning a new language. There are numerous ways to study and a vast number of words to learn. Setting goals helps you focus so you can stop obsessing over small matters and get to work.
2. Study Smart.
The greatest study methods will help you memorize your language more quickly.
For instance, using flashcards is one of the finest ways to learn vocabulary terms. Flashcards allow you to test yourself and concentrate on certain terms, which aids in learning new material.
3. Start Utilizing the Phrase Continuously.
Trying to utilize the language all day as a beginner may feel daunting, but it’s not as hard as it seems. Making the language a part of your daily life can be done in a variety of quick and enjoyable ways.
First, take advantage of every opportunity to learn new terms. Bring flashcards with you so you may review them while waiting for a friend, riding the train or bus to work (but not while driving, please!).
4. Look for Practical Experience.
Real-world experiences can be some of the best classrooms, especially when you are forced to utilize a foreign language.
Traveling or studying abroad are the simplest ways to get practical experience. Going overseas gives you the chance to surround yourself with speakers of the language you want to learn, many of whom don’t speak your mother tongue.
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5. DISCOVER THE CULTURE.
It takes more than just reading words on a page to grasp a language. It’s crucial to educate yourself on the language’s history and culture.
Understanding a little about the history, current affairs, religious beliefs, and common customs of a nation or culture can help you comprehend a lot about what people say and do.
According to studies, kids who comprehend the culture and background of the texts they read do better while learning to read in a second language.
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6. HAVE FUN
Don’t forget to make language learning enjoyable because we often learn best when we’re having fun.
A wonderful method to learn while having fun is to play games. Games make use of our inherent competitiveness and can encourage language practice even when we’re feeling worn out.
You might also concentrate your education on topics that interest you, such as a pastime.
Study sewing-related vocabulary in your target language, view sewing tutorial videos, and speak with tailors who are fluent in your chosen language if you enjoy sewing, for instance.
How to Neutralize Mother Tongue Interference
If you are consistent, several activities can assist you neutralize mother tongue interference:
1. Correct Pronunciation with a mentor’s Assistance
While it is true that you can focus on your accent alone, the chances of success are quite slim. The first is that you don’t often even notice when anything is wrong or that you are speaking incorrectly since your habits and speech patterns are so ingrained in you. To neutralize Mother Tongue interference, you therefore need someone to alert you to your mistakes in that circumstance.
The second reason is that it is very difficult to change something as ingrained as native language speaking patterns because it is a very ancient habit that has been firmly established. You might find yourself repeatedly using your normal speech patterns. And when that happens, you’ll need someone to correct you every time and keep you from reverting to your old speech patterns.
2. Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence is used, such as SIRI and Google Assistant, to identify words. It might be necessary to keep saying the same word until Siri or Google Assistant picks it up, at which point, bingo! You’re all set!
3. Regularly use English in your Speech
Similar to how you automatically perform other things in your life. Make it a point to use English words frequently. First, pay close attention to the word’s true tone. This could be challenging at first, but as you speak more, your word choice will undoubtedly get better. We always suggest that you take notes during the session and pay close attention to the language that your mentor uses, with that, you can neutralize Mother Tongue interference.
4. Learn English Rhythm and proper Intonation
The major drawback of speaking with a strong mother language impact is that others will find it difficult to understand you if you use the wrong tone and cadence. As a result, you must practice in a way that is clear to others.
In essence; these are the ways to neutralize Mother Tongue interference:
- A few of the many methods for reducing mother tongue influence include:
- Improving the pronunciation
- Regular practice of English speaking
- Using English for all conversations wherever possible
- English music listening
- Watching films in English
- Enrolling in a reputable English speaking program. Platform like Unacademy has an online course for Mother Tongue Interference removal.
Mother Tongue Interference FAQs
Why is it Referred to be a Mother Tongue?
This metaphor depicts language as coming from your primary caregiver, the one who took the best care of you when you were a child, which was usually your mother. Therefore, this is possibly where the metaphorical expression "mother tongue" got its start.
What Significance does Mother Tongue have?
A child first learns their mother tongue when they are born, and as a result, it also aids in giving our feelings and thoughts a more defined form. It's essential to learn in your mother tongue if you want to improve other abilities like critical thinking, second-language acquisition, and literacy.
What kinds of Interference are there in English?
These interferences include "substrate" "superstrate" and "adstrate" language connections, whereas the second category is an intentional regulation of language development (language planning). According to linguistic and extralinguistic concepts, both types can be divided.
The three major Mother Language types?
Three major language groups can be distinguished: "Indo-European" (which includes English), "Sino-Tibetan" (which includes Chinese), and "Afro-Asiatic" (Includes Arabic)
Conclusion
Although achieving perfection is an impossible objective, there are techniques to neutralize mother tongue interference. You can accomplish it using the methods mentioned above. So put them to use, keep speaking English, and together
we can all fight to lessen the effect of our native tongue.
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