This paper aims at providing a comparison of phonological as well as inflectional properties of English and German. It presents an overview of how major differences between both languages correlate with potential problems in language learning. Furthermore, the problems in language learning of two languages of similar historical origin will be examined, in particular German native-speakers in learning English and vice versa. In addition, it might be significant to see how both languages are differently hard to learn. However, it has to be considered that the degree of difficulty in learning one of these languages differs for every individual person. Each section will concentrate on the question whether major differences between English and German correlate with potential problems in language learning, in particular sections 3.2, 4.3 and 5.
At first, some background information on these languages will be given. Afterwards, by presenting the phoneme inventory, particularly focusing on interference, this paper takes a specific look at the pronunciation difficulties of second language learners. Additionally, a short definition of the term ‘suffixation’ will be given in order to introduce the topic ‘inflection’.
Selected inflectional suffixes in English and German, with focus on nouns and pronouns, will be investigated separately with examples in order to give an overview about this morphologic process in both languages. What is also presented in this section is an extensive comparison of inflectional suffixes.
Furthermore, a survey was conducted in which students and people with less English and/or German knowledge were questioned. The survey is concerned with difficulties in learning English and German.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Background information on English and German
- 3. Phoneme inventory
- 3.1 General description
- 3.2 Interference
- 4. Inflection
- 4.1 Inflectional suffixes in English
- 4.2 Inflectional suffixes in German
- 4.3 Comparison of inflectional suffixes in English and German
- 5. English and German from a learners' perspective
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper compares the phonological and inflectional properties of English and German, exploring how key differences affect language learning, particularly for native speakers of one language learning the other. It examines the challenges faced by German speakers learning English and vice-versa, considering the varying degrees of difficulty each language presents to learners.
- A comparative analysis of the phonological systems of English and German.
- An examination of inflectional suffixes in both languages.
- An investigation into the impact of language interference on pronunciation and inflection.
- An exploration of the difficulties faced by learners of English and German.
- Analysis of the genetic relationship between English and German and its implications for language learning.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter lays out the paper's objective: to compare the phonological and inflectional properties of English and German, focusing on how these differences create challenges for language learners. It highlights the focus on interference and the individual variations in learning difficulty. The chapter sets the stage by briefly mentioning the background information that will be covered before delving into a detailed analysis of phonemes and inflectional suffixes. It emphasizes that each section will examine how linguistic differences relate to language learning difficulties, particularly in sections 3.2, 4.3, and 5.
2. Background information on English and German: This chapter provides essential background on English and German, noting their respective numbers of native speakers and global distribution. It establishes their shared Indo-European and Germanic roots, emphasizing their close genetic relationship and the implications for similarities, such as the two-term tense distinction. The chapter prepares the ground for subsequent analyses by highlighting the linguistic similarities and setting the stage for the exploration of phonetic and inflectional differences.
3. Phoneme inventory: This chapter focuses on the phonological contrasts between English and German. Beginning with a general description of the phoneme inventories of both languages, it then dives into a discussion of interference, examining how phonetic differences create challenges for second-language learners. The chapter uses examples to illustrate how the absence of certain phonemes in one language leads to substitution errors by learners of the other language, leading to potential misunderstandings. The section on interference emphasizes negative transfer, where native language patterns lead to errors in the target language.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
English, German, phonology, phoneme inventory, inflection, inflectional suffixes, language learning, interference, language transfer, comparative linguistics, Germanic languages, Indo-European languages.
FAQ: A Comparative Analysis of English and German Phonology and Inflection
What is the overall focus of this paper?
This paper provides a comparative analysis of the phonological and inflectional properties of English and German, focusing on how these differences impact language learning, particularly for native speakers of one language learning the other. It examines the challenges faced by learners of both languages, considering the varying degrees of difficulty each presents.
What topics are covered in the Table of Contents?
The paper includes an introduction, background information on English and German, a comparative analysis of phoneme inventories (including interference), a comparison of inflectional suffixes in both languages, and a discussion of English and German from a learner's perspective.
What are the key objectives and themes explored?
The key objectives are to comparatively analyze the phonological systems of English and German, examine inflectional suffixes in both languages, investigate the impact of language interference on pronunciation and inflection, explore the difficulties faced by learners of both languages, and analyze the genetic relationship between English and German and its implications for language learning.
What does the chapter on "Background information on English and German" cover?
This chapter provides essential background information on both languages, including the number of native speakers, global distribution, shared Indo-European and Germanic roots, and the implications of their close genetic relationship for similarities and differences in their structures.
What is discussed in the chapter on "Phoneme inventory"?
This chapter focuses on the phonological contrasts between English and German. It begins with a general description of the phoneme inventories of both languages and then analyzes interference, examining how phonetic differences create challenges for second-language learners. Examples illustrate how the absence of certain phonemes in one language leads to substitution errors.
How are inflectional suffixes treated in the paper?
The paper dedicates a significant portion to comparing inflectional suffixes in both English and German. It analyzes the suffixes in each language separately and then compares them to highlight similarities and differences, which are particularly relevant for understanding learner challenges.
What is the significance of the section on "English and German from a learner's perspective"?
This section synthesizes the findings from the phonological and inflectional analyses to discuss the practical implications for language learners. It considers the specific challenges faced by speakers of each language learning the other.
What are the key takeaways regarding language interference?
The paper highlights how differences in phoneme inventories and inflectional systems lead to language interference. It demonstrates how native language patterns can negatively transfer to the target language, resulting in pronunciation and inflection errors.
What is the role of the genetic relationship between English and German in the analysis?
The paper acknowledges the close genetic relationship between English and German (both being Germanic and Indo-European languages), highlighting how this shared ancestry contributes to some similarities but doesn't negate the significant differences that pose challenges for learners.
What keywords best describe the content of this paper?
The keywords include: English, German, phonology, phoneme inventory, inflection, inflectional suffixes, language learning, interference, language transfer, comparative linguistics, Germanic languages, and Indo-European languages.
- Quote paper
- Hülya Atasoyi (Author), 2013, English and German. A Comparison of Phonological and Inflectional Properties, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/313281
