Influence of L1 Transfer on the Acquisition of L2 Syntax: A Study Based on the Written Composition of Undergraduate Learners

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dc.contributor.authorWijewantha, N.W.S.C.
dc.date.accessioned2021-02-12T09:40:41Z
dc.date.available2021-02-12T09:40:41Z
dc.date.issued2020
dc.description.abstractIn the Sri Lankan context, the majority of the language learners speak Sinhala as their first language (L1) and they are exposed to the English language only once they start their primary education. Before learning the Second Language (L2) these learners already have developed a strong first language system. Further Sinhala and English are structurally different and the students have little or no exposure to the target language outside their learning environment. L1 influence is common in both their oral and written communication. This has resulted in language errors even in the communication of undergraduate students although they are advanced learners who have been learning the language for several years. L1 influence is particularly common in syntax which is one of the basic yet crucial aspects of language. This hinders the teaching-learning process and much of the classroom time is consumed in addressing these errors while the actual focus of learners should be advanced aspects of the language. This poses a severe problem in following their respective degree programs as well because L1 influence severely affects their academic writing. Hence this study was concentrated on analyzing the influence of L1 on undergraduate learners’ second language errors through a comparison of the syntax of Sinhala and English. A sample of 50 first-year students following three different degree programs at a government university was selected for the study. They all follow the English language as a compulsory subject during their first year at the university. The students were assigned to write a composition on a given topic which was later examined for errors. 40 errors influenced by L1 were found and they were categorized and analyzed based on their syntactic features. The findings of this study would enable the curriculum designers to devise materials focusing on addressing the L1 influence on second language acquisition. Keywords: Second language acquisition, L1 Influence, Syntax, Language errorsen_US
dc.identifier.isbn9789550481293
dc.identifier.urihttp://www.erepo.lib.uwu.ac.lk/bitstream/handle/123456789/6037/proceeding_oct_08-394.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherUva Wellassa University of Sri Lankaen_US
dc.relation.ispartofseries;International Research Conference
dc.subjectHumanities & Social Sciencesen_US
dc.subjectSocial Scienceen_US
dc.subjectHigher Educationen_US
dc.subjectEducationen_US
dc.subjectLanguageen_US
dc.subjectSecond Languageen_US
dc.titleInfluence of L1 Transfer on the Acquisition of L2 Syntax: A Study Based on the Written Composition of Undergraduate Learnersen_US
dc.title.alternativeInternational Research Conference 2020en_US
dc.typeOtheren_US
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