Communication strategies in second-language acquisition
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In the course of learning a second language, learners will frequently encounter communication problems caused by a lack of linguistic resources. Communication strategies are strategies that learners use to overcome these problems in order to convey their intended meaning to their interlocutors.[1] Strategies used may include paraphrasing, substitution, coining new words, switching to the first language, and asking for clarification.[2][3]
Strategies
No comprehensive list of strategies has been agreed on by second language acquisition researchers,[3] but some commonly-used strategies have been observed:
- Paraphrasing
- This refers to learners using different words or phrases to express their intended meaning. For example, if learners do not know the word grandfather they may paraphrase it by saying "my father's father".
- Substitution
- Learners may avoid a problematic word by using a different one, for example substituting the irregular verb make with the regular verb ask. The regularity of "ask" makes it easier to use correctly.[2]
- Coining new words
- This refers to learners creating new words or phrases for words that they do not know. For example, learners may refer to an art gallery as a "picture place".[2]
- Switching to the first language
- Learners may insert a word from their first language into a sentence, and hope that their interlocutor will understand.[3]
- Asking for clarification
- This is simply the strategy of asking the interlocutor for help.[3]
- Non-verbal strategies
- This can refer to strategies such as the use of gesture and mime to augment or replace verbal communication.[1]
References
- ^ a b Johnson, Keith; Johnson, Helen, eds. (1999). "Communication strategy". Encyclopedic Dictionary of Applied Linguistics: A Handbook for Language Teaching. Oxford: Blackwell Publishers. p. 174. ISBN 978-0631227670.
- ^ a b c Ellis, Rod (1997). Second Language Acquisition. Oxford Introductions to Language Study. Oxford, New York: Oxford University Press. pp. 60–61. ISBN 978-0194372121.
- ^ a b c d VanPatten, Bill; Benati, Alessandro G. (2010). Key Terms in Second Language Acquisition. London: Continuum. p. 73. ISBN 978–0–8264–9914–1.
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