Phonological Transfer in Bilingual Learners: A Comparative Study of Dari and English

Abstract

This article explores the bidirectional phonological transfer between Dari and English in bilingual learners. Phonological transfer involves the influence of a speaker's first language (L1) on their second language (L2) and vice versa. For Dari speakers learning English, challenges include vowel substitution, consonant simplification, and the misapplication of English stress patterns due to the more complex vowel and consonant inventory of English. Conversely, the influence of English on Dari can lead to the introduction of new phonetic elements and altered phonotactic rules, as bilingual speakers incorporate English vowels, consonants, and stress rhythms into their Dari speech. The study highlights the importance of understanding these transfer effects to develop effective teaching strategies that address the specific phonological challenges faced by bilingual learners. By providing explicit instruction on the differences between the phonological systems of both languages and using targeted phonetic exercises, educators can help learners achieve accurate and comprehensible pronunciation in both Dari and English, thereby enhancing their overall language proficiency.