Izvorni znanstveni članak
https://doi.org/10.15291/csi.5077
The Role of Linguistic Transfer in Verb-Noun Collocations on the Example of Authentic Maritime Texts
Jasmina Jelčić Čolakovac
orcid.org/0000-0002-1241-1283
; Sveučilište u Rijeci, Pomorski fakultet
*
* Dopisni autor.
Sažetak
This paper explores the role of foreign language proficiency
and meaning transfer from the first language (L1, Croatian)
to the second language (L2, English) among Maritime Eng-
lish students . The study informants were asked to evaluate
the acceptability of verb-noun (VN) collocations presented
in authentic maritime context by means of a lexical decision
task. The task included 18 L2 collocations presented under
three separate conditions: daJ1 (acceptable in L1) , daJ2 (ac-
ceptable in L2) , and neJ1/J2 (unacceptable in both languag-
es) . To assess L2 language proficiency, an online LexTALE
test was used that estimates the overall vocabulary knowl-
edge of English. Results show that the expressions existing
in Croatian were rated more often as acceptable, suggesting
that meaning transfer from the first language is frequently
used as a learning strategy for collocations. However, the
Pearson correlation test revealed a weak to moderate posi-
tive relationship between success on the LexTALE test and
correct responses on the lexical decision task, suggesting
that the use of L1 transfer as a learning strategy is not dic-
tated by the level of L2 language proficiency . The students
with higher knowledge of English applied other strategies
such as guessing from the context, while those with lower
proficiency relied more on L1 transfer as a supportive strate-
gy. This suggests that the connection between L2 proficien-
cy and successful recognition of L2 collocations was con-
firmed, which has implications for improving vocabulary
teaching methodology in the field of LSP (Languages for
Specific Purposes). This research contributes to theoretical
insights on language transfer and practical knowledge for
improving vocabulary instruction in specialised fields such
as the maritime profession, where precise and functional
knowledge of technical vocabulary is crucial for profession-
al communication.
Ključne riječi
foreign language teaching; language transfer; Maritime English; meaning transfer; verb-noun collocations
Hrčak ID:
349330
URI
Datum izdavanja:
14.7.2026.
Posjeta: 0 *