The aim of this study is to investigate the patterns of language transfer in relative clauses in Chinese-English bilinguals. On the basis of their L2 proficiency, two groups of bilinguals-more fluent bilinguals and less fluent bilinguals-particpated in this study. Tests in Chinese and English were provided. The results of this study indicated that forward transfer appears in less fluent bilinguals but not in more fluent bilinguals. More fluent bilinguals have a tendency toward amalgamation. This is due to a greater amount of the use of L2 and a longer period of time of L2 exposure than that of L1 Thus, because of their differences in language proficiency. there appears a different type of language transfer. Issues of L2 exposure and the loss of L1 are discussed, together with some suggestions regarding a new direction for future research in language transfer in bilinguals.
