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UPSI Digital Repository (UDRep)
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| Abstract : Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris |
| English prepositions have always been a perceived problem for Chinese ESL learners. However, scant studies have been conducted with a specific focus on the use of prepositions of time, place and direction among Chinese ESL learners. This study examined the extent of errors and the error tendencies of these students in their written assignments with regard to these prepositions. This study also attempted to explain the causes of errors made. A total of 38 students in a Chinese national-type secondary school were involved in translating Chinese texts laced with prepositions of time, place and direction into English. Subjects made most errors in using the preposition of time (39.5%) compared to preposition of direction (34.6%) and preposition of place (25.9%). Among the three error tendencies, wrong selection of prepositions was the most prominent (64.7%). This indicated the uncertainty and ambiguity of Chinese students in selecting the correct prepositions in their translation. The major cause of errors in these three classes of prepositions tended towards developmental aspects of overgeneralization, false concept hypothesis, omission and ignorance of rules restriction. Only 28% of the errors were a result of first language transfer. The lack of knowledge, exposure and limited experience of using these prepositions contributed to the frequency of errors. |
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