Selinker, Larry

Abstract This encyclopedic entry highlights just some of the many significant contributions Larry Selinker has made in Applied Linguistics. As one of the founders of the field of Second Language Acquisition, Selinker's work has been instrumental in the vast amount of second language research that informs theory and practice. From the introduction of concepts such as fossilization, language transfer, and interlanguage in his seminal 1972 article, Interlanguage, the significant impact Selinker has had on the field is undeniable. This biography highlights work from his seminal article as well as his 1992 book, Rediscovering Interlanguage, and a 2014 article, 40 Years On: Three Themes from Here .