An ELT Glossary : Overgeneralisation


  • Definition :  The application of a known rule in an inappropriate context 
  • Examples : a)  the learner who know that "s" is the plural suffix in English and produces sheeps, or b) the learner who knows that -ed is the English past tense marker and says I goed to Rome yesterday.
  • Overgeneralisation is evidence of learning rather than the opposite : it shows the learner has understood the rule though not its limitations.
  • Overgeneralisation is a natural part of language acquisition and is also seen in the speech of children learning their L1.

Recommended  Reading

Pit Corder, S. Error Analysis and Interlanguage, OUP



(Remember that Amazon often has other new and used copies of the books you want at much less than the advertised price. It's always worth checking out.)