analyzing grammatical errors from senior high school in medan
Analyzing Grammatical Errors From Senior High School in Medan
By: A Z M I L
STBA Harapan Medan
Abstract
The main purpose of this study is to discuss the importance of error
analysis in studying English as a foreign language. Error analysis
is needed to show them in what aspect in grammar which is difficult
for them. In this study, the writer presented some English sentences
containing grammatical errors. These grammatical errors were analyzed based on the theories presented by the linguists. This analysis
aimed at showing the students the causes and kinds of grammatical
errors.
Keywords : grammatical errors, interlingual, intralingual.
1. Introduction
It is necessary to differentiate between error and mistake. A mistake is also a deviation of
the norms of the language but is not systematic. It means that the use of the norms of the
language in sentences is sometimes true and sometimes wrong. Error is systematic deviation,
when a learner has not learnt something and consistently get it wrong. Errors are systematic
deviation from the norms of the language being learnt.
2. Sources of Errors
We are able to classify the sources of errors into:
1. Interlingual Transfer
It is the negative influence of the mother tongue of learner.
2. Intralingual Transfer
It is the negative transfer of items within the target language. In other words, the
Incorrect generalization of rules within the target language.
3. Context of Learning
Context of learning , which overlaps both types of transfer, for example , the
classroom with its teacher and its materials in case of school learning or the social
situation in the case of untutored second language learning. In a classroom, context of the
teacher or text book can lead the learner to make wrong generalization about the
language.
4. Analyzing Grammatical Error
The writer gives some examples of the grammatical errors found in the sentences and
the ways to analyze them.
4.1 Errors in Using Adjective
e.g. I put some flowers in glass tall vase.
We have some Thai delicious food.
We have to eat small red tomatoes.
The students never realize that a noun is usually modified by only one or two
adjective , although sometimes there are three .So, these sentences should be written
e.g. I put some flowers in a tall vase .
We have some delicious Thai food.
She has to eat some red small tomatoes.
4.2 Errors in Using Subject Pronouns and Object Pronouns
e.g. Rita has a book. Rita bought a book last week
I wrote a letter, but I can’t send the letter because I don’t have a stamp.
I like two pictures on my bedroom wall. I like two pictures. Two pictures
are beautiful. We know that pronoun has the same meaning as noun Rita has the
same meaning
as she, a book has the same meaning as it. In grammar we may say that pronoun
“refers” to noun. The pronoun she and it refer to the noun Rita and a book. Thus,
These sentences should be written:
e.g. Rita has a book. She bought it last week.
I wrote a letter, but I can’t send it because I don’t have stamp.
I like two pictures on my bedroom wall. I like them. They are beautiful
4.3. Errors in Using Very and Too + Adjective
e.g. I can’t put my dictionary in my pocket. My dictionary is very big.
I can’t buy a boat. It’s very expensive.
A sports car is too expensive, but John can buy one if he wants to.
They never know the rule how to use very and too + adjective. Very and too
come in front of adjectives, big and expensive are adjectives. Very and too do not
have the same meaning. Very implies the possible thinking, while in the speaker’s
mind, the use of too implies a negative result. Thus, the sentences should bee written:
e.g. I can’t put my dictionary in my pocket. My dictionary is too big.
I can’t buy a boat because it is too expensive.
A sports car is very expensive , but John can buy one if he wants to.
4.4 Error in Using Preposition at and in for location
e.g. Susi is at the kitchen.
John is in school.
They are at their bedroom.
She is at the restaurant.
They never differ the use of at and in for location. At is used with home, work,
and school . In is used with the room ( kitchen , classroom , hall, and bedroom ).
In is also used with the cities/provinces , state, and continent. At is usually with
location in city : at the post office ,at the bank ,at the library, at the book store, at
the park,. at the theatre , at the restaurant , at the football stadium . A speaker uses
in with a building only when it is important to say that someone is inside , not outside the building , in the bank = inside the bank building . Thus, the sentences
should be written:
e.g. Susi is in the kitchen.
John is at school.
They are in their bedroom.
She is at the restaurant.
4.5 Error in Pluralization
e.g. We always use our dictionary when we write composition.
People carry their food on tray at a capeteria.
Good evening , lady and gentlemen.
Lady. Cook has two childs.
They never know how to use pluralization in English. To make the plural form
of the norms : add -s . Each of noun: consonant + - y, plural form change y to i , add
-es. Each of noun -fe or –f, change f to v , add –es. Each of noun : vowel + -y, adds
-s . Each of noun, plural form –sh,- ch, -ss, -x , add –es. Each of noun : vowel + -o
plural form adds –es . Meantime we also have irregular plural forms. Thus, the sentences should be written :
e.g. We always use our dictionaries when we write composition.
People carry their food on trays.
Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.
Mr. Cook has two children.
Conclusion
After talking much about analyzing grammatical error from students of senior
high school in Medan, the writer then concludes that error analysis is required to
minimize one to make mistake when she/he writes or speaks English.
By: A Z M I L
STBA Harapan Medan
Abstract
The main purpose of this study is to discuss the importance of error
analysis in studying English as a foreign language. Error analysis
is needed to show them in what aspect in grammar which is difficult
for them. In this study, the writer presented some English sentences
containing grammatical errors. These grammatical errors were analyzed based on the theories presented by the linguists. This analysis
aimed at showing the students the causes and kinds of grammatical
errors.
Keywords : grammatical errors, interlingual, intralingual.
1. Introduction
It is necessary to differentiate between error and mistake. A mistake is also a deviation of
the norms of the language but is not systematic. It means that the use of the norms of the
language in sentences is sometimes true and sometimes wrong. Error is systematic deviation,
when a learner has not learnt something and consistently get it wrong. Errors are systematic
deviation from the norms of the language being learnt.
2. Sources of Errors
We are able to classify the sources of errors into:
1. Interlingual Transfer
It is the negative influence of the mother tongue of learner.
2. Intralingual Transfer
It is the negative transfer of items within the target language. In other words, the
Incorrect generalization of rules within the target language.
3. Context of Learning
Context of learning , which overlaps both types of transfer, for example , the
classroom with its teacher and its materials in case of school learning or the social
situation in the case of untutored second language learning. In a classroom, context of the
teacher or text book can lead the learner to make wrong generalization about the
language.
4. Analyzing Grammatical Error
The writer gives some examples of the grammatical errors found in the sentences and
the ways to analyze them.
4.1 Errors in Using Adjective
e.g. I put some flowers in glass tall vase.
We have some Thai delicious food.
We have to eat small red tomatoes.
The students never realize that a noun is usually modified by only one or two
adjective , although sometimes there are three .So, these sentences should be written
e.g. I put some flowers in a tall vase .
We have some delicious Thai food.
She has to eat some red small tomatoes.
4.2 Errors in Using Subject Pronouns and Object Pronouns
e.g. Rita has a book. Rita bought a book last week
I wrote a letter, but I can’t send the letter because I don’t have a stamp.
I like two pictures on my bedroom wall. I like two pictures. Two pictures
are beautiful. We know that pronoun has the same meaning as noun Rita has the
same meaning
as she, a book has the same meaning as it. In grammar we may say that pronoun
“refers” to noun. The pronoun she and it refer to the noun Rita and a book. Thus,
These sentences should be written:
e.g. Rita has a book. She bought it last week.
I wrote a letter, but I can’t send it because I don’t have stamp.
I like two pictures on my bedroom wall. I like them. They are beautiful
4.3. Errors in Using Very and Too + Adjective
e.g. I can’t put my dictionary in my pocket. My dictionary is very big.
I can’t buy a boat. It’s very expensive.
A sports car is too expensive, but John can buy one if he wants to.
They never know the rule how to use very and too + adjective. Very and too
come in front of adjectives, big and expensive are adjectives. Very and too do not
have the same meaning. Very implies the possible thinking, while in the speaker’s
mind, the use of too implies a negative result. Thus, the sentences should bee written:
e.g. I can’t put my dictionary in my pocket. My dictionary is too big.
I can’t buy a boat because it is too expensive.
A sports car is very expensive , but John can buy one if he wants to.
4.4 Error in Using Preposition at and in for location
e.g. Susi is at the kitchen.
John is in school.
They are at their bedroom.
She is at the restaurant.
They never differ the use of at and in for location. At is used with home, work,
and school . In is used with the room ( kitchen , classroom , hall, and bedroom ).
In is also used with the cities/provinces , state, and continent. At is usually with
location in city : at the post office ,at the bank ,at the library, at the book store, at
the park,. at the theatre , at the restaurant , at the football stadium . A speaker uses
in with a building only when it is important to say that someone is inside , not outside the building , in the bank = inside the bank building . Thus, the sentences
should be written:
e.g. Susi is in the kitchen.
John is at school.
They are in their bedroom.
She is at the restaurant.
4.5 Error in Pluralization
e.g. We always use our dictionary when we write composition.
People carry their food on tray at a capeteria.
Good evening , lady and gentlemen.
Lady. Cook has two childs.
They never know how to use pluralization in English. To make the plural form
of the norms : add -s . Each of noun: consonant + - y, plural form change y to i , add
-es. Each of noun -fe or –f, change f to v , add –es. Each of noun : vowel + -y, adds
-s . Each of noun, plural form –sh,- ch, -ss, -x , add –es. Each of noun : vowel + -o
plural form adds –es . Meantime we also have irregular plural forms. Thus, the sentences should be written :
e.g. We always use our dictionaries when we write composition.
People carry their food on trays.
Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.
Mr. Cook has two children.
Conclusion
After talking much about analyzing grammatical error from students of senior
high school in Medan, the writer then concludes that error analysis is required to
minimize one to make mistake when she/he writes or speaks English.