The Relevance of relational grammar to contrastive linguistics

Abstract

It has long been thought that. the· difficulties a second language learner has to overcome could to an important degree be reduced, provided he could profit from the results of a contrastive analysis pointing out the dangerous' interferences between the native tongue and the second language. Recent research has proved that contrast between linguistic systems is not the only factor involved in second language learning. The basic insight is now that as the learner attempts to internalize a new type of grammar, he makes use of an intermediate, approximative system, a transitional 'interlanguage' competence and consequently the interest of researchers in this field has shifted from contrastive linguistics as an exclusive approach, to additional ways of studying the different factors that influence and characterize the second language learner, systems. The claim made in the paper to be presented is that one of the most recent offshoots of theoretical linguistics, viz. 'Relational Grammar' has a role to play in the comprehensive study of 'inter language', by contributing to a more principled treatment of systemic interference and by helping to understand the universal hierarchy of difficulties. The first topic will be the presentation of the essential tenets of RG together with some illustrative observations. In the second place attention will be given to some revealing discuss ions about relational categories in Philippine languages. The final issue will be an attempt at evaluating these analyses on their merits with regard to the study of interlanguage competence.