Thesis (MA (General Linguistics))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / This thesis reports on an investigation into the possibility of first language (L1) transfer in the initial stages of the second language (L2) acquisition of Xhosa by adolescent beginner learners with, respectively, English and Afrikaans as their L1. Researchers in L2 acquisition are still debating about the possible transfer from learners’ L1s to their interlanguage grammars in the initial stages of L2 acquisition. Some researchers claim that L1 transfer does indeed occur (the Full Transfer hypothesis – see for example Schwartz & Sprouse 1996), while others claim that L1 transfer does not occur (the No Transfer hypothesis – see for example Clahsen & Muysken 1986). Against this background, two tasks were designed to determine whether or not beginner learners’ performance, specifically in terms of verb placement in Xhosa, indicates that L1 transfer occurs in the initial stages of L2 acquisition. It is argued that the results of this investigation provide evidence in support of the Full Transfer hypothesis. Finally, the implications of the results of this investigation for L2 teaching in a multilingual environment are discussed.