This paper discusses the meaning of the term "lexical simplification" in the context of second language acquisition. It is suggested that simplification be viewed as a universal feature of language use which may be manifested in a number of linguistic contexts, including the creation of a learner's interlanguage. It is further suggested that studies of lexical simplification should concentrate on the process rather than its end product. A small-scale empirical investigation was conducted to examine a few selected aspects of the process of lexical simplification, especially those strategies which play a role in the formation of a learner's interlanguage and its subsequent fossilization. Eighty native speakers of Hebrew and 83 learners of Hebrew, on the university level, were given a set of 20 sentences containing missing words which the subjects were asked to provide. The learners were then asked to translate 30 Hebrew words and phrases into their mother tongue. The first instrument sought to measure lexical control in learners as compared to native speakers, while the second was intended to measure learners' ability to recognize lexical items as opposed to their ability to produce them. Results support the hypothesis of lexical simplification in language learners, as well as that of interlanguage fossilization. Test sentences used in the first part of the experiment are appended, in Hebrew with English translation. (AM)