Topic: Nature and Purpose of Error Analysis

Presented to: Dr. M Iqbal buttPresented By: Syed Salman Haider

Nature and Purpose of Error AnalysisWhat is an error??????According to Corder(1973) “An error is a

breach of code.”“The systematic study of deviations from targ

et-language norms in the course of second-language acquisition, especially in terms of the learner's developing interlanguage.(Dictionary.com)

Nature and Purpose of Error AnalysisErrors are classified  according to:Modality (i.e., level of proficiency in

speaking, reading writing and listening)Linguistic levels (i.e., pronunciation,

grammar,vocabulary,styleForm (e.g., omission, insertion, substitution)Type (systematic errors/errors in competence

vs. occasional errors/errors in performance)Cause (e.g., interference, interlanguage)Norm vs. system

Nature and Purpose of Error AnalysisError analysis in SLA was established in the 1960s by SP

Corder and colleagues.Error analysis (EA) was an alternative to contrastive

analysis(CA) CA, An approach influenced by behaviourism.Through CA  Applied linguists sought to use the formal

distinctions between the learners' first and second languages to predict errors.

Error analysis (EA) showed that contrastive analysis was unable to predict a great majority of errors,

A key finding of error analysis (EA) has been that many learner errors are produced by learners making faulty inferences about the rules of the new language.

Nature and Purpose of Error AnalysisThe advocates of EA draw a distinction

between “Error” and “Mistake”“Technically two differenet phenomena”Brown1994, Corder1967.

They took notion of Chomsky’s “Competence versus Performance”.

Mistake as the failure in performance(Learner’s inability is using knowledge of TL)

Error as failure in Competence.(An infringement of the rule of TL language).

Nature and Purpose of Error AnalysisSelinker (1972) in Richards (1974,p.37) reported Five sources

of errors. i. Language transfer(also known as L1 interference, linguistic

interference, and crossmeaning) refers to speaker’s or writers applying knowledge from their native language to a second language.

When the relevant unit or structure of both languages is the same, linguistic interference can result in correct language production called positive transfer.

Negative transfer occurs when speakers and writers transfer items and structures that are not the same in both languages.

Men don't have babies, do they?  Often people answer: "Yes" if we mean "yes, men don't have" However, the correct answer for this question is "No"

Nature and Purpose of Error Analysis ii. Transfer of training Transfer of training refers to the effect that knowledge or abilities acquired

in one area have no problem in solving or knowledge acquisition in other areas. Transfer of training is based on the theory of transfer of learning.

There are three types of transfer of training: Positive Transfer This is when prior learning or training facilitates acquiring a new skill or

reaching the solution to a new problem. In this situation the individual performs better than he would have without the prior training.

Negative Transfer This is when prior learning or training hinders acquiring a new skill or

reaching the solution to a new problem. In this situation the individual performs worse than that he would have had he not been exposed to the prior training.

Zero Transfer In this situation, past experience or training neither enhances nor hinders

acquiring a new skill or reaching the solution of a new problem.

Nature and Purpose of Error Analysis iii. Strategies of second language learningThe term strategies, in the second-language-learning

sense, has come to be applied to the conscious moves made by second-language speakers intended to be useful in either learning or using the second language. Strategies can be very different in nature, ranging from planning the organisation of one’s learning (a metacognitive learning strategy) through using mnemonic devices to learn vocabulary (cognitive learning strategies) and rehearsing what one expects to say (a performance strategy) to bolstering one’s self-confidence for a language task by means of “self-talk” (an affective strategy)

.

Nature and Purpose of Error Analysis Strategies of second language communication. The use of the term "strategy" in second language communication is

discussed, and a typology of communication strategies is presented. Communication strategies are those systematic devices a second language

learner uses in attempting to express precise meaning in the target language. Definitions of learning strategies and communication strategies found in the

literature in this field are presented. It is suggested that a second language learner, in theory, adopts either of two

principal communication strategies. The learner may avoid difficult words or grammatical constructions by

producing something different than was intended or may omit the difficult words.

This has been called a "risk-avoiding" strategy. In the opposite case, when the learner adopts a "risk-taking" strategy, he uses all linguistic resources to express his intended meaning.

These resources include paraphrasing, invention of new words, guessing, and borrowing from other languages.

Nature and Purpose of Error AnalysisOvergeneralization of TL/ linguistic materialThe term overgeneralization is most often

used in connection with language acquisition by children. For example, a young child may say "foots" instead of "feet," overgeneralizing in  making plural nouns.

"'If I knowed the last bug I eated would be the last bug I eated, Phil said sadly.

The wrong use of the verbs “ know and eat”

Nature and Purpose of Error AnalysisSome other causes of errors.Ignorance of rule restriction.Takes place becaus of the ignorance of the rule

restriction e.g Omission of third person singular s as in. He want.

False concept hypothesized.Some learners think that is is marker of present

tense, so the produce. He is talk to the teacher. Or was is the past tense. It was happened last night.

Incomplete application of rules

Nature and Purpose of Error AnalysisFossilizationSome errors persist for long and become difficult to

get rid of.An example of fossilized error is the lack of distinction

between the /p/ and /b/ sound in Arab ESL learners. We hear them saying pird and brison instead of bird and prison

Error due to the effect of teachingFaulty teaching can be the result of errors. Faulty

teaching material is another cause. Some teachers are influenced by their pupil’s errors.

Nature and Purpose of Error AnalysisHyper-corrections.Also called “induced error”. The teachers’

insistence that Arab learners always make /p/ and /b/ sound mistake make them realise that they cant correct themselves.

Nature and Purpose of Error AnalysisLanguage learning errors involove all

language components.e.gPhonologicalMorphologicalSyntacticlexical

Nature and Purpose of Error AnalysisResearchers distinguish between two types of

erros.Local Errors Do not hinder the process of communication

and understanding the meaning of an utterance.

Global ErrorsMore serious. Interfere with communication

and disrupt the meaning of an utterance

Nature and Purpose of Error AnalysisPhonologicalAn example of phonological error for example

is the lack of distinction between the /p/ and /b/ sound in Arab ESL learners. We hear them saying pird and brison instead of bird and prison.

MorphologicalProduction of such errors as Womans, sheeps and furnitures

Nature and Purpose of Error AnalysisLexicalInvolves inappropriate direct translation e.gThis is the home that my father built.The clock is now ten.SyntacticErrors in word orders, subject verb

agreement.The boys that I saw him is called Ali.

Nature and Purpose of Error AnalysisGuideline in correcting second language

learning errors.Teachers should correct error affecting

intelligibility. The focus should be on Global errors rather than on local erros.

High frequency and generality errors should be corrected. E.g the omission of third person singular s is high frequency and generality. The use of second form after did is also of the same kind.

Nature and Purpose of Error AnalysisThe teachers should focus on errors affecting

large percentage of their students.The focus should be on a specific topic. E.g

the teacher teaching present perfect tense should not discuss about articles, preposition etc. this distracts attention.

Thank You