Bahram Kazemian1 & Somayyeh Hashemi2
Abstract
This study aims at contrasting and comparing inflectional bound morphemes of English, Azerbaijani and Persian languages in details to pinpoint any similarities and differences between them. To do so, an inventory of Azerbaijani, Persian and English inflections with examples and illustrations are listed to highlight their similarities and discrepancies. There are restricted numbers of inflections in each language and are utilized to indicate aspects of grammatical function of a word. Results reveal that there are more varieties of inflections in Azerbaijani language than in English or Persian and; they share some common properties as well as several dissimilarities. English and Persian represent more irregularity in terms of plurality for nouns and affixation for verbs; Azeri incorporates numerous inflections into each category as well. The differences are the major source of difficulties for a native speaker of Azeri or Persian to learn English and vice versa. To overcome this, teaching should be effectively and efficiently managed at these different points to smooth the path for learners. Based on the findings of the study, some implications can be drawn for translators, textbook writers, syllabus designers, learners and instructors involved in language pedagogy.
Keywords: contrastive analysis, Azerbaijani and Persian languages, inflectional morphemes
Introduction
Contrastive analysis has been an essential and systematic branch of applied linguistics which deals with the linguistic description of the structure of two or more different languages.
Such descriptive comparison and contrast serve to show how languages differ in their sound system, grammatical structure and vocabulary. This type of analysis can be used in language teaching, translation, and of
References: Aarts, B. & Mcmahon, A. (2006). The handbook of English linguistics. Oxford: Blackwell Publishing. Ahranjani, A. K. (2011). Plural and singular form of noun in Azerbaijani and English languages. International Journal of Academic Research, 1(3), 156-166. Alimohammadi, M., & Khalili, H. (2006). General English. Tehran: Payam-e-Nour University. Bageri, M. (2002). Moqəddəmāte zəbānshenāsi. Tehran: Gatreh Publications. Brinton, L. J. (2000). The structure of modern English: A linguistic introduction. Amsterdam/Philadelphia: John Benjamin Publishing Company. Ellis, R. (1989). Understanding second language acquisition. USA: Oxford University Press. Falk, J. S. (1998). Linguistics and language: A survey of basic concepts and applications. Xerox College Pub. Farzaneh, M. A. (1998). Məbāni-e- dəstür zəbān-e- Azerbaijani: Āsvāt və kəlemāt. Tehran: Farhang Publications. Fatemi, A. H., & Ziaei, S. (2012). A contrastive analysis of out-of-context translation of Farsi adjectives into English in EFL classrooms. International journal of Linguistics, 4(3), 211-224. http://dx.doi.org/10.5296/ijl.v4i3.2202. Fisiak, J. (1971). Papers and studies in contrastive linguistics, Vol. 1. The Polish-English contrastive project. Poznan: Adam Mickiewicz University. Fisiak, J. (1974). Project for a contrastive analysis of the sound systems, grammar and lexicon of Polish and English. Poznan: Adam Mickiewicz University. Fisiak, J. (1985). Contrastive linguistics and the language teacher. Oxford: Pergamon Press. Fries, C. C. (1945). Teaching and learning English as a foreign language. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press. Hadi, E. (1995). Torki Honər əst. Tabriz: Ahrar Publications. Hayati, M Householder, F. W., & Lotfi, M. (1965). Basic course in Azerbaijani. Bloomington: Indian University Press. James, C. (1989). Contrastive analysis. London: Longman. Khansir, A. A. (2012). Error analysis and second language acquisition. Theory and Practice in Language Studies, 2(5), 1027-1032. Keshavarz, M. H. (2003). Contrastive analysis and error analysis. Tehran: Rahnama Publications. Krzeszowski, T. P. (1990). Contrasting languages: the scope of contrastive linguistics. Retrieved from http://www.staff.amu.edu.pl/~kilarski/courses/download/krzeszowski.pdf. Lado, R. (1957). Linguistics across cultures. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press. Mace, J. (2003). Persian grammar: For reference and revision. New York: Routledge Curzon. Mashkur, M. J. (2009). Dəstur nam-e dər sərf və nəhv-e zəbān-e Farsi. Tehran: Shərq Publication Company. Salim, J Sajavaara, K. (1977). Contrastive linguistic past and present and a communicative approach. Finland: Jyvaskyla University. Spencer, A., & Zwicky, A. M. (2007). The handbook of morphology. Blackwell Publishing. Torabi, M. A. (2002). Azerbaijani and T. E. F. L.: A contrastive linguistic approach to T. E. F. L. to Azerbaijani bilinguals. Tabriz: Tabriz University Press. Trask, R. L. (1999). Language: The basics. Routledge Publishing Vazinpour, N Wardlaugh, R. (1970). The contrastive analysis hypothesis. TESOL Quarterly, 4. TESOL Convention March 1970. http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/3586182. Yarmohammadi, L. (2002). A contrastive analysis of Persian and English: Grammar, vocabulary and phonology. Tehran: Payame Noor University Press. Yule, G. (2006). The Study of language. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Ziahosseiny, S. M. (1999). A contrastive analysis of Persian and English and error analysis. Tehran: Nashr-e Vira.