Abstract
M.A. (Applied Linguistics)
This dissertation explores the phenomenon of errors in the
writing of second language learners. The concepts of language
error and standard language are discussed briefly.
The Contrastive Analysis and Error Analysis hypotheses are
presented and the notions of interlanguage and fossilization
explored. The limitations and strengths of the Error
Analysis hypothesis are pointed out.
Research on error correction and remediation is reviewed.
Questions such as whether errors should be corrected, when,
how and by whom, as well as which errors should be attended
to, are considered.
An error analysis of the written work of a group of English
second language students is undertaken. Errors of a mainly
syntactic nature are identified and classified and the possible
causes of some are pointed out. The dissertation considers
the implications of these errors for language teaching
and concludes by making recommendations with 'special reference
to the distance teaching situation.