Common Grammatical Syntactic Errors in Tree Diagrams Done by 6th Semester English-Language Majors at Tripoli University: An Analytic Study

Authors

  • Suhair Saad Faraj Faculty of Languages, Department of English Language, University of Tripoli Tripoli, Libya

Keywords:

Sentence Structure, Error, Tree Diagram

Abstract

This analytic study focused on the identification of grammatical syntactic errors in Tree Diagrams, figuring out the underlying reasons for these errors, and addressing these errors through effective teaching strategies. Data were collected through assignments and tests required 6th semester English language students at Tripoli University to represent given sentences using Tree Diagrams.  Study findings revealed that students encountered various types of syntactic errors in using Tree Diagrams to represent sentences. The most common errors included the incorrect placement of constituents in the Tree Diagrams, misidentification of the head of a phrase, and improper use of syntactic rules, such as subject-verb agreement. The underlying reasons for these errors were found to be the influence of Arabic syntax on English syntax, limited knowledge of English syntax, and the difficulty of mastering the syntactic rules of English. The study had some pedagogical implications that could contribute to the development of a better understanding of the syntactic difficulties faced by Arab students. It could also provide insights into how these difficulties could be addressed through the implementation of effective teaching strategies in EFL contexts by taking into account of students' linguistic backgrounds and possible challenges that may impede the smooth transfer of syntactic structures from one language to another.

Dimensions

L, Patsy.; S and Nina. How languages are learned 4th edition-Oxford Handbooks for Language Teachers. Oxford university press, 2013.‏

R, Andrew. Syntactic theory and the structure of English: A minimalist approach. Cambridge University Press, 1997.‏

C, Guy. Transcribing infinity: Problems of context presentation. Journal of pragmatics, 1990, 14.1: 1-24.‏

S, Michael. The practice of English language teaching. Oxford University Press. 2018.‏

D, Pradeep Kumar. The importance of grammar in English language teaching-A reassessment. Language in

India, 2013, 13.5: 482-486.‏

A, Yasir Bdaiwi Jasim and T, Helen. Grammar errors in the writing of Iraqi English language learners. International Journal of Education and Literacy Studies, 2017, 5.4: 122-130.‏

A, Esraa, et al. An Analysis of Spoken Grammatical Errors of Arab Learners of English as a Foreign Language at Al- Zaytoonah University of Jordan. Journal of Al- Ma'moon College, 2014, 24.‏

H, Taiseer Mohammed Y. An analysis of the common grammatical errors in the English writing made by 3rd

secondary male students in the Eastern Coast of the UAE. 2008.‏

S, Murad Hassan Mohammed. Error analysis of written English essays: The case of students of the

preparatory year program in Saudi Arabia. English for specific purposes world, 2013, 14.40: 1-17.‏

M, Marlyna and T, Kim Hua; SALEHUDDIN, Khazriyati. Interference in learning English: Grammatical errors in English essay writing among rural Malay secondary school students in Malaysia. E-BANGI: Jurnal Sains Sosial Dan Kemanusiaan, 2007, 2.2: 15.‏

R, Jack and S, Richard. Longman dictionary of language teaching and applied linguistics. Routledge, 2013.‏

B, Douglas and L, Heekyeong. Teaching principles. P. Ed Australia, 2015.‏

A, Betty. Understanding and using English grammar third edition. 1999.‏

C, Murcia, and L, Freeman. The grammar books. Heinle & Heinle Publishers, 1999.

C, CHEN and H, Huang. Y. L2 acquisition of subject-prominence by EFL students in Taiwan. English Teaching & Learning, 2003, 27.4: 99-122

S, Mike Sharwood and K, Eric. Crosslinguistic influence in second language acquisition: An introduction. Crosslinguistic Influence in Second Language Acquisition, New York: Pergamon, 1986.‏

E, Rod. Current issues in the teaching of grammar: An SLA perspective. TESOL quarterly, 2006, 40.1: 83-107.‏

Published

2023-08-30

How to Cite

Suhair Saad Faraj. (2023). Common Grammatical Syntactic Errors in Tree Diagrams Done by 6th Semester English-Language Majors at Tripoli University: An Analytic Study. African Journal of Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences (AJASHSS), 2(3), 854–859. Retrieved from https://aaasjournals.com/index.php/ajashss/article/view/497