Review on Past Tense Affixes
Sarah Nadiah Rashidi (2011). An analysis of the plural inflections of English language among Malay students. Marine Frontier, Vol 2 (2), 67-7.
1.0 Introduction
The study was conducted to analyse the plural inflections of English language among Malay students. Generally, the duration of exposure towards English language in classroom setting would be approximately 11 years among Malaysian students. Although English language has been given much respect and attention, there are still learners being underachievers and not proficient in the language at the end of their secondary school level. Due to this, the researcher claims that there are still students who fail to understand the most basic rules of English language structure, such as plurality.
1.1 Hypothesis
As cited by the researcher, Fries (1945), Lado (1957) and Van Els (1984) agree that different grammatical structure between languages is a possible factor of students’ incompetency in the targeted language. Thus, the hypothesis of this study is, Malay students find it difficult to understand and use English language plural inflections because there are no plural inflections in the Malay language.
1.2 Aims of the Study There are three aims mentioned to be achieved throughout this study:
1. To identify and explain students’ error regarding plural inflection
2. To identify the differences & similarities of plural inflections between Malay & English language.
3. To measure and determine whether the differences of plural inflections formation between Malay and English language contribute to the errors in students’ writing.
2.0 Methodology
2.1 Sampling
In this study, a total of 40 semester one students were selected as the sample of the study. They were 20 lower proficiency students and 20 higher proficiency students of a local semi‐private higher learning institution in Malaysia. The students’ level of proficiency was pre‐determined by an English Placement Test which is a compulsory assessment
1.0 Introduction
The study was conducted to analyse the plural inflections of English language among Malay students. Generally, the duration of exposure towards English language in classroom setting would be approximately 11 years among Malaysian students. Although English language has been given much respect and attention, there are still learners being underachievers and not proficient in the language at the end of their secondary school level. Due to this, the researcher claims that there are still students who fail to understand the most basic rules of English language structure, such as plurality.
1.1 Hypothesis
As cited by the researcher, Fries (1945), Lado (1957) and Van Els (1984) agree that different grammatical structure between languages is a possible factor of students’ incompetency in the targeted language. Thus, the hypothesis of this study is, Malay students find it difficult to understand and use English language plural inflections because there are no plural inflections in the Malay language.
1.2 Aims of the Study There are three aims mentioned to be achieved throughout this study:
1. To identify and explain students’ error regarding plural inflection
2. To identify the differences & similarities of plural inflections between Malay & English language.
3. To measure and determine whether the differences of plural inflections formation between Malay and English language contribute to the errors in students’ writing.
2.0 Methodology
2.1 Sampling
In this study, a total of 40 semester one students were selected as the sample of the study. They were 20 lower proficiency students and 20 higher proficiency students of a local semi‐private higher learning institution in Malaysia. The students’ level of proficiency was pre‐determined by an English Placement Test which is a compulsory assessment
References: Nor Hashimah Jalaluddin, Norsimah Mat Awal, Kesumawati Abu Bakar (2008). The mastery of English language among lower secondary school students in Malaysia: a linguistic analysis. European Journal of Social Sciences, Vol 7, 1‐14. Payne, T. (2006). Exploring Language Structure. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Sarah Nadiah Rashidi (2011). An analysis of the plural inflections of English language among Malay students. Marine Frontier, Vol 2 (2), 67-7.