The possible effects of previously acquired languages on L3 learning: A study of Northern Sotho in Pretoria.
Sepua, Chuene Daphney
Sepua, Chuene Daphney
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Abstract
South African's multilingual ecology acquisition of proficiency in several languages if one is to participate effectively in the economic, political, and socio-cultural spheres of the country. Of interest to this study is the acquisition of a third language by adult university students in the Department of Applied Languages, Education and Journalism, which they do as a requirement for their various qualifications.
This study investigates the manifestation of Transfer or Cross-Linguistic Influence (CLI) from the language learners’ previous-known languages during the acquisition/learning of a third language, Northern Sotho. The study examines errors identified in the language learners’ written productions of their interlanguage (IL) in Northen Sotho L3.
The data for the study was gathered from first year university students learning a third language, Northern Sotho, with a roughly homogeneous language background of IsiZulu L1 and English L2, and from some of the lecturers offering the subject to these students. The focus of the study was to investigate whether the subject’s produced patterns that can be traced to one or both of their previously known languages in their target language IL. Various methods and data collection instruments, such as questionnaires, elicitation talks and interviews, were used to gather information from the sample.
Contrastive Analysis (CA) and Error Analysis (EA) techniques are used in the analysis of the learners’ interlanguage (IL) to identify and quantify the errors, as well as to compare and contrast the three language systems at play in the learners’ minds to pinpoint the possible source language of the transfer.
The results of the study indicate that most error relating to spelling, vocabulary and grammar, in general, showed evidence of influence from the language learners’ previously known Black African languages, with no visible evidence of influence from English L2. The exclusion of English l2 as a source of influence could be due to factors that have been outlined by researchers in the field of Third Language Acquisition such as languages and the target language, Northern Sotho.
The study is important in relation to third language teaching and learning and to language acquisition/learning research, in general, as it highlights the effects of previously-known languages on language acquisition, which should lead to improved teaching methods and materials, and a better understanding of language learning processes and strategies by all parties involved.
Description
Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree Magister Technologiae (Language Practice).
Date
2014-04-14
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Tshwane University of Technology
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Keywords
Cross-linguistic Influence (CLI), Error Analysis (EA), Interlanguage