The aim of the paper is to find out whether grammatical contrasts between German and English imply the frequent occurrence of errors with regard to tenses, aspect, and relative pronouns/clauses. The work is based on the assumption that contrasts between the two languages do cause frequent errors, although there are also others factors contributing to it, such as age, years of exposure, language aptitude, and motivation.
The first part of the paper deals with the concept of language ‘transfer’ in general, touching issues, such as the description of the highly discussed concept, the role it plays in language learning, differences between positive and negative ‘transfer’, some variant forms of negative ‘transfer’, namely the production of non-target-like forms, overproduction, and avoidance as well as two different views of transfer, which are CA and EA. The second part of the paper includes a data analysis, which focuses exclusively on selected grammatical differences. Contrasting categories considered in the analysis are tenses, aspect, and relative pronouns/clauses. Unlike contrastive analysis, grammatical differences between the two languages will not only be considered theoretically, but also authentically produced learner utterances will be examined in terms of the errors which can be attributed to contrasts between German and English. For this purpose, samples of learner language by German learners of English collected in the ICLE will be made use of – with particular regard to expected errors due to contrasts between the two languages. In this vein, both qualitative and quantitative analyses of the errors will be applied.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- What is Language 'Transfer'?
- The Concept and its Origins
- Positive 'Transfer' vs. Negative ‘Transfer'
- Different Forms of Negative 'Transfer'
- Methodology and Procedure in Data Analysis
- Contrasts between German and English as Potential Sources of Errors
- Tenses
- Aspect
- Relative Pronouns/Clauses
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
The primary goal of this paper is to investigate the impact of grammatical contrasts between German and English on the occurrence of errors in learner language. The paper examines whether these contrasts lead to frequent mistakes, specifically regarding tenses, aspect, and relative pronouns/clauses. It acknowledges the influence of other factors, such as age, exposure, aptitude, and motivation, but focuses primarily on the role of cross-linguistic influence.
- The concept of language 'transfer' and its implications for second language acquisition
- The evolution of research approaches, from Contrastive Analysis (CA) to Error Analysis (EA)
- Analysis of specific grammatical differences between German and English, including tenses, aspect, and relative pronouns/clauses
- Examination of learner errors using authentic data from the International Corpus of Learner English (ICLE)
- The importance of understanding interlanguage development and the processes involved in second language learning
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: This chapter introduces the topic of language 'transfer' and its significance in understanding learner errors. It highlights the influence of the learner's native language on their acquisition of a second language, particularly in cases where the languages differ significantly. The chapter also provides an overview of the research methodologies employed, including Contrastive Analysis (CA) and Error Analysis (EA).
- What is Language 'Transfer'?: This chapter delves into the concept of 'transfer' and explores its controversial nature. It discusses various definitions and terminologies used in the field, including "the role of the mother tongue," "borrowing," and "crosslinguistic influence." The chapter examines the origins of the concept in behaviorism and the criticisms it has faced, highlighting its potential limitations and the need for careful consideration.
- The Concept and its Origins: This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of the concept of 'transfer' and its historical context. It discusses the definition proposed by Gass, highlighting the role of the native language in influencing second language acquisition. The chapter also examines alternative terms such as "the role of the mother tongue" and "crosslinguistic influence," exploring their advantages and disadvantages.
- Positive 'Transfer' vs. Negative ‘Transfer': This chapter explores the different types of 'transfer' that occur in second language acquisition. It distinguishes between positive 'transfer,' where the learner benefits from similarities between their native and target language, and negative 'transfer,' where differences between the two languages lead to errors. The chapter discusses various examples of both types of 'transfer' and their implications for language learning.
- Different Forms of Negative 'Transfer': This chapter focuses on the different forms that negative 'transfer' can take. It discusses the production of non-target-like forms, overproduction, and avoidance, illustrating these concepts with specific examples. The chapter also explores the role of transfer in the development of learner errors and the potential impact on second language acquisition.
- Methodology and Procedure in Data Analysis: This chapter outlines the methodology and procedures used in the data analysis. It highlights the specific focus on grammatical contrasts between German and English and the use of authentic learner utterances from the ICLE. The chapter details the analytical approach, combining qualitative and quantitative methods to examine learner errors and their potential sources.
- Contrasts between German and English as Potential Sources of Errors: This chapter presents a detailed analysis of the grammatical contrasts between German and English that could potentially lead to learner errors. It focuses on three key areas: tenses, aspect, and relative pronouns/clauses. The chapter provides a comprehensive overview of the differences between the two languages in these areas, offering specific examples to illustrate the potential for 'transfer' and error production.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The key terms and concepts explored in this paper include language 'transfer,' Contrastive Analysis (CA), Error Analysis (EA), interlanguage, cross-linguistic influence, grammatical contrasts, tenses, aspect, relative pronouns/clauses, and learner errors. The paper focuses on investigating the role of 'transfer' in second language acquisition, specifically the influence of the learner's native language (German) on their acquisition of English. It examines the theoretical framework of 'transfer' and its evolution, while analyzing authentic learner data to identify and interpret specific errors attributed to cross-linguistic differences.
- Quote paper
- Anonym (Author), 2010, The Role of the German Mother Tongue for the Acquisition of Grammatical Structures of English, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1360143
