In English, the word llama is pronounced "LA-MA." In Spanish, the same word is pronounced "YA-MA" (the double-L is pronounced similarly to a "Y" sound). Analyzing this situation in terms of the similarity of stimuli and responses, we can predict that a person who first learns to read the word in English and then learns to read it in Spanish will:
A) Benefit from positive transfer
B) Suffer from negative transfer
C) Have little or no transfer from one language to the other
D) Benefit from positive transfer only if the two languages are learned close together in time

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The different pronunciations of the word llama in English and Spanish are not similar stimuli or responses, as they involve different sounds and articulations. Therefore, the learner may suffer from negative transfer or interference, as they need to overcome the previously learned pronunciation and acquire a new one. Positive transfer would occur if the two languages shared similar pronunciation patterns. The timing of learning the languages is not relevant to this situation.

In English, the Word Llama Is Pronounced "LA-MA