Reflection On Error Analysis And Second Language Acquisition

Reflection on “Error Analysis and Second Language Acquisition”

Summary

This chapter called “Error Analysis and Second Language Acquisition” written by Ali Akbar Khansir basically explains the concepts of Contrastive Analysis, Error Analysis and Interlanguage in the field of Applied Linguistics. First of all, there is a brief introduction about Applied Linguistics, and deriving its branches called CA and EA. A pinion shows that a more useful evaluation of one’s English language comprehensibility should be based on the judgement of both native and non-native speakers.

In addition, the author refers to contrastive linguistics, and the supporters of C.A claimed that the similarities and differences between various languages were enough to deal with the problem of teaching these languages. The various studies based on C.A have attempted to compare the systems of the native and target language either within the structure models or within the transformational generative model. And some theories are proposed by researchers which describe the relationship between the negative transfer and positive transfer, so teachers can adapt this kind of theories to develop remedial teaching after they correct the written composition of their learners and collect their common errors. One opinion we should notice is that “the first language itself is not the only influence on second language learning”

Indeed, the criticisms of C.A are also proposed, some proponents of E.A argued that C.A focus