Fossilization Or Stabilization

Nowadays, fossilization has been paid much attention to by many researchers in the field of applied linguistics, because it is an inevitable topic in the study of second language acquisition.Based on Selinker and Lamendella's conclusion, Ellis has summarized the possible causes of fossilization as internal factors and external factors. D.L.Freeman and M.H.Long attribute fossilization to communication adequacy. Chen Huiyuan, in her discussion of the sources of fossilization, summarized the theories from abroad in this field, and classified these theories into theories of internal sources, theories of external sources and theories of interactive sources. After Chen Huiyuan's discussion, Zhang Xuemei introduces two skill theories ?Keith Johnson's and Peter Tomlinson's. to further unveil the possible causes of fossilization in the light of cognitive learning models.However, readers can only obtain an obscure knowledge of fossilization from some of the fossilization literatures where there is an ambiguity between fossilization and stabilization in second language acquisition. So this paper aims at distinguishing fossilization from stabilization in second language acquisition.This paper classifies fossilization into voluntary fossilization and involuntary fossilization. which are different from Selinker's fossilization forms of fossilized items, rules and subsystems.In order to avoid fossilization -- the permanent retention of non-native interlanguage forms, the learner is required to pay much attention to the temporary stabilization which potentially leads to fossilization. This paper discusses stabilization phenomenon and its causes by analyzing the datafrom a one-year longitudinal study the author has conducted on Chineselearner's spoken English acquisition. In the study, there are five findings.First, language input can have a determining function in the second language acquisition. Twisted and insufficient language input will result in stabilization in the learner's second language acquisition.Second, a learner's affective state is of crucial importance in the second language learning. As a result of negative affective state, stabilization in the second language acquisition occurs.Third, first language transfer plays a great role in the stabilization of second language acquisition. It sometimes helps the second language learning, and sometimes interferes with the learning.Fourth, a learner's faulty cognitive strategies also cause the stabilization of his second language acquisition.Lastly, lack of opportunities for a learner to use his interlanguage, combined with the learner's too much dependence on communication strategies during his output definitely foster the stabilization of the learner's second language acquisition.To sum up, fossilization is the result of acquisition, but stabilization is a process of language learning. Stabilization is the prelude to possible fossilization. So it is necessary to avoid stabilization before fossilization happens.