On the Factors Influencing L1 Transfer

For decades, the phenomenon of language transfer has been a focus of second language acquisition. The study of language transfer has experienced three stages. It has long been noted that the linguistic differences between L1 and L2 will affect the acquisition of L2, both positively and negatively. This paper aims at sorting out factors that are facilitating to L1 transfer. Seven categories of factors have been examined: Linguistic factors, Psycholinguistic factors, Sociolinguistic factors, Socio-psychological factors, Individual difference, Developmental factors, and Frequency of input. Giving the complexity of transfer phenomenon, though the above-mentioned factors are discussed separately, the need to investigate their co-influence on L1 transfer is suggested