Markedness in negative interlingual transfer: analysis of the productive skills of Chinese

Xiaoya Hang; Xun Li

doi:10.54691/bcpbm.v20i.1034

Authors

Xiaoya Hang
Xun Li

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54691/bcpbm.v20i.1034

Keywords:

Markedness; Negative interlingual transfer; Second language acquisition.

Abstract

Language transfer is essential in foreign language learning which can make influence on the second language acquisition positively and negatively. This study is focused on the negative transfer which always has connection with the differences in the linguistic features of two languages. Features in language can be regarded as having the characteristic of markedness. Unmarked features are natural and easy-memorizing but marked features might be more effort-needed to manage. In order to figure out why Chinese students having trouble learning English, based on the data collection and other research, the detailed linguistic analysis is provided in this essay. The thesis statement will concentrate on five linguistic aspects: 1) Phonology, 2) Lexicon, 3) Syntax, 4) Semantics, and 5) pragmatics. Phonemes and tones will be introduced in phonology. Lexicon and syntactical differences are included in part two. Some semantic components will be featured with markedness and the way and attitudes which people represent feelings pragmatically will be discussed in the end. The comparison between Chinese and English is given and markedness is also concluded in each part of the features through this essay. According to the analysis and the conclusion could be given that negative transfer occurred in each aspect of language acquisition and more attention are needed for L2 learners to avoid making mistakes.

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