Cross-linguistic influence in the written present tense forms of Malay and English /

Issues concerning first language influence have been perpetually discussed in connection with the acquisition of a target language. This research focuses on first language (L1 - Malay) influence on the acquisition of a second language (L2 - English). It deals with the significance of learners'...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Nurul Huda binti Hassan Bakri
Format: Thesis
Language:English
Published: Kuala Lumpur: Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences, International Islamic University Malaysia, 2012.
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Online Access:Click here to view 1st 24 pages of the thesis. Members can view fulltext at the specified PCs in the library.
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Summary:Issues concerning first language influence have been perpetually discussed in connection with the acquisition of a target language. This research focuses on first language (L1 - Malay) influence on the acquisition of a second language (L2 - English). It deals with the significance of learners' L1 in the written production of L2. In particular, this research deals with the use of L1 present tense by Malay speakers when writing in the target language. Data was collected in the form of written output from young adult Malay English as second language users. To facilitate comparisons of the two languages, participants were requested to compose essays in both Malay and English. The samples of students' written forms came from 2 levels: lower intermediate and advance users of English as a second language. Content analysis was thoroughly carried out by determining 'obligatory occasions' or 'obligatory contexts' in the written corpus. In this study, obligatory occasions for the temporal forms are defined as occasions in which only the correct temporal form is acceptable. An error in a student's written text refers to the occasion when the required forms are not used. The result of the study shows that the use of temporal word markers in Malay present time forms interfere with the acquisition of English present tense. Several temporal issues need to be considered closely by language instructors. The study suggests that the teaching and learning of English will be more effective when knowledge of the differences between the two languages, Malay and English, can be applied by both the learners and the instructors.
Item Description:Abstract in English and Arabic.
"A dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Human Sciences in Teaching English as a Second Language."--On t.p.
Physical Description:ix, 72 leaves : ill. ; 30cm.
Bibliography:Includes bibliographical references (leaves 55-58).