The Influence of Mother Tongue on English Language Learning: A Linguistic, Cognitive, and Pedagogical Analysis

This study investigates in detail the influence of the mother tongue (L۱) on English language learning (L۲) among learners who represent a range of proficiency levels, from beginners to more advanced users. Drawing on psycholinguistic, sociolinguistic, and cognitive perspectives, the research closely examines the ways in which L۱ affects several key dimensions of learning English, including pronunciation patterns, the process of grammar acquisition, the development and expansion of vocabulary, and overall communicative competence in English. Data were collected through a combination of learner questionnaires, structured language tests, and systematic classroom observations in order to provide a comprehensive and well-rounded understanding of the phenomenon. The findings indicate that, while L۱ can facilitate certain aspects of language learning through processes of positive transfer and prior linguistic knowledge, it can also lead to interference, transfer-related difficulties, and various types of errors in L۲ production. The study emphasizes the importance of teachers' awareness and understanding of L۱ influence in the learning process and highlights the need for the implementation of instructional strategies that minimize negative transfer while at the same time making effective use of positive L۱ support. In addition, practical implications for teaching English as a second or foreign language are discussed and highlighted in relation to classroom practice and instructional planning

کلیدواژه ها:

Mother Tongue (L۱) ، English Language Learning (L۲) ، Language Transfer ، Interference ، Second Language Acquisition