Which statement accurately describes fossilization?

Which statement accurately describes fossilization?

• A. Fossilization is the process of erasing errors from memory.
• B. Fossilization occurs when errors persist because the learner never practices.
• C. Fossilization only happens in writing.
• D. Fossilization describes errors becoming habitual when corrective feedback is reduced because errors do not interfere with communication.

Answer: (D)

Fossilization happens when errors in a learner’s language use become fixed habits because corrective feedback diminishes or disappears. When learners aren’t challenged to correct these mistakes—especially since they can still communicate effectively—these incorrect forms can stick and feel “normal” over time. The statement captures this idea: errors become habitual and persist because feedback that would correct them is reduced, and those errors don’t get in the way of communication often enough to prompt correction. The other ideas miss the point. It’s not about erasing errors from memory, and fossilization isn’t just about never practicing; it’s about the persistence of patterns when feedback is sparse. And fossilization isn’t limited to writing—it can occur in speaking and other language areas as well.

Fossilization happens when errors in a learner’s language use become fixed habits because corrective feedback diminishes or disappears. When learners aren’t challenged to correct these mistakes—especially since they can still communicate effectively—these incorrect forms can stick and feel “normal” over time. The statement captures this idea: errors become habitual and persist because feedback that would correct them is reduced, and those errors don’t get in the way of communication often enough to prompt correction.

The other ideas miss the point. It’s not about erasing errors from memory, and fossilization isn’t just about never practicing; it’s about the persistence of patterns when feedback is sparse. And fossilization isn’t limited to writing—it can occur in speaking and other language areas as well.