Which term denotes the First language, often abbreviated L1?

• A. L2
• B. Cognitive Development
• C. L1
• D. Silent Period

Answer: (C)

The term for the first language is L1. In language development and second-language acquisition, L1 refers to the language a person learns first and uses most naturally in daily life, usually the language spoken at home during early childhood. This is the foundation from which later languages (L2, L3, etc.) are learned and influenced. L2 denotes any additional language learned after the first, often later in life, and is the focus when examining how new languages are acquired or taught. The Silent Period describes a phase some learners experience in second-language learning where they listen and comprehend input more than they speak; it’s a stage within SLA, not a label for a language. Cognitive Development, while important for overall learning, is a broad term about thinking and reasoning growth and is not a term used to name a language.