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Error Analysis and Interlanguage

Contrastive Analysis (CA) compares two languages to identify similarities and differences in order to predict difficulties for second language learners. However, Error Analysis emerged as a more practical approach, focusing on understanding sources of errors made by learners. It provides insights for teachers and researchers. Interlanguage refers to the system that learners develop between their first and second languages. Analyzing learner errors can help identify their progress and needs. Form-focused instruction can improve skills if integrated communicatively with feedback. Teachers should treat errors in a supportive way that promotes learning.

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119 views

Error Analysis and Interlanguage

Contrastive Analysis (CA) compares two languages to identify similarities and differences in order to predict difficulties for second language learners. However, Error Analysis emerged as a more practical approach, focusing on understanding sources of errors made by learners. It provides insights for teachers and researchers. Interlanguage refers to the system that learners develop between their first and second languages. Analyzing learner errors can help identify their progress and needs. Form-focused instruction can improve skills if integrated communicatively with feedback. Teachers should treat errors in a supportive way that promotes learning.

Uploaded by

kermiche marya
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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1.

Contrastive Analysis
Contrastive Analysis is an approach in applied linguistics that aims to compare two languages to identify
their similarities and differences. This method has three main objectives: to establish universals and
language-specific characteristics, to explain and predict problems in second language acquisition
(SLA), and to develop language teaching materials. Contrastive research dates back to 1786 when
William Jones compared Greek and Latin to Sanskrit and discovered similarities. In the 1950s and 1960s,
contrastive linguistics research in the US compared English to the major European languages taught in
American schools and influenced the development of language teaching materials. In the 1970s, CA
spread to other parts of the world, and scholars used it to identify learner errors resulting from language
contact or the persistence of existing mother tongue habits in the new language. CA also helped predict
the relative difficulty of different aspects of a target language.

( There is a hierarchy in the handout, go check )

Contrastive Analysis (CA) is a method used to compare two languages in order to identify similarities
and differences. It was believed that by doing this, it would help predict and explain the difficulties that
learners might face when trying to learn a second language (L2). However, some scholars argued that CA
was not effective in creating teaching programs, and suggested using Error Analysis instead. Error
Analysis focuses on understanding the sources of errors that learners make when learning an L2. Teachers
can use this information to help learners overcome these errors. Overall, Error Analysis is seen as a more
practical and beneficial approach to teaching a second language.

2. Cross-linguistic Influence (CLI)


The theory of Cross-linguistic Influence (CLI) has emerged as a result of the weak version of
Contrastive Analysis (CA). CLI recognizes that prior experience and the influence of the first language
(L1) have a significant role in any language learning. Studies have shown that intra-lingual (errors
within the same language) errors are often more important than inter-lingual (errors between
languages)ones, which means that the difference between L1 and L2 does not necessarily cause great
difficulty. CLI is a crucial factor in second language acquisition (SLA) because L1 can influence L2 and
vice versa, and multilingual learners' subsequent languages can also affect each other in various ways.

3.Interlanguage/Learner Language and Error Analysis


When someone is learning a second language, they don't always speak perfectly. They make mistakes,
and these mistakes can actually be helpful to both the learner and the teacher. This is because these
mistakes are part of what's called an "interlanguage", which is a kind of in-between language that the
learner creates as they try to learn the new language. This interlanguage is not the same as their native
language ( L1) or the second language ( L2) they're trying to learn, but something in between.
When a teacher looks at the mistakes a learner makes, it can tell them how far the learner has come and
what they still need to learn. It can also help researchers understand how people learn languages, and how
they come up with their own ideas about how the language works. For the learner, making mistakes is
actually a good thing, because it helps them figure out how the language works and test their own ideas
about it. Looking at these mistakes can also help us understand how learners process the language input
they're trying to learn. This can be helpful for teachers, because they can use this information to help their
students learn better. And finally, studying these mistakes is useful for researchers, because it helps us
learn more about how language works and how people learn it. Errors are an unavoidable and necessary
part of language learning, and analyzing them can help identify areas where learners need further
instruction. Therefore, error analysis has both pedagogical ( it can help teachers identify common errors
made by learners and create a systematic approach to address and correct those errors, which can lead to
better language learning outcomes ) and theoretical (analyzing errors made by learners can provide
insights into how language is learned and acquired, as well as what strategies or procedures the learner is
using to understand the language. This can contribute to a better understanding of the nature of language
learning and of language itself) justifications.

Error analysts look at two types of mistakes: "Mistakes" and "Errors."

A "Mistake" is an error that occurs due to a random guess or a lapse in memory. It's a temporary
breakdown in the process of speech production, and can be corrected if pointed out to the speaker. An
"Error," on the other hand, is a noticeable deviation from the grammar of a native speaker. It reflects the
learner's competence and cannot be self-corrected

Error Analysis has replaced Contrastive Analysis as not all errors made by the learner are due to the
influence of their native language. Errors can arise from various sources, such as the learning context,
communication strategies, and affective variables.

4. Stages of development of learner language


Corder (1973) proposed four stages of development for learner language:

1. Pre-systematic stage: The learner makes random errors and guesses inaccurately.

2. Emergent stage: The learner begins to identify patterns and internalize some rules.

3. Systematic stage: The learner becomes more consistent in producing the L2 and can correct errors.

4. Post-systematic stage: The learner reaches a stage of fluency and intended meanings are not
problematic, and they make relatively few errors.
5.Dealing with learner language in class: Form-focused Instruction (FFI)
Form-focused Instruction (FFI) is a teaching technique that draws the learner's attention to language form,
whether it is done explicitly or implicitly. It has been a topic of discussion among SLA researchers, who
have found that FFI can help improve learners' language skills if it is integrated into a communicative
curriculum. Feedback is most effective when given after communicative tasks. Certain learners, such as
analytic, field-independent learners, benefit more from FFI than others. Corder has emphasized that error
analysis should not only focus on obvious grammatical errors but also consider well-formed sentences
that may be inappropriate in a given context. There are two types of appropriateness that need to be taken
into account: referential appropriateness and social appropriateness. Referential appropriateness
refers to the truth value of a learner's structure concerning its referential relationship, while social
appropriateness relates to the learner's ability to select the appropriate style or register of language for a
given social situation.

Ex of referential appropriateness : A learner might say, "I want to go at the park" instead of "I want to
go to the park". The sentence is well-formed and grammatically correct, but the use of "at" instead of "to"
is contextually inappropriate. The learner has not grasped the appropriate use of prepositions in this
context. This is an example of referential appropriateness.

Ex of social appropriateness : Let's say a learner is giving a formal presentation to a group of business
professionals. If the learner uses very casual language and slang, it may be socially inappropriate for the
context. In this case, the learner would need to be able to select the appropriate register or style of
language for the social situation in order to effectively communicate with the audience.

6.Error Treatment: How should teachers treat errors?


Local errors, on the other hand, do not significantly affect communication and can be corrected or not,
depending on the teacher's goals and the learner's needs. The correction of errors should be done in a way
that promotes learning, by providing learners with opportunities to notice and correct their own errors,
and by giving feedback that is clear, relevant, and timely. It is also important to consider the affective
dimension of error treatment, such as the learner's feelings and motivation. Teachers should create a
supportive environment that encourages learners to take risks and learn from their mistakes.

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