Analysis on the Usage Errors of Inflection " ̃-s' in Noun+-s and Verb+-s in the Written Composition of Grade Six Pupils

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Language learning is actually a process of trial and error, thus, analysis on errors is a worth studying for. This way teachers could help their students to learn from their errors specifically on how to use -s or -es to indicate plurality in nouns and singularity amongst third singular verbs.

METHODS

The study analyzed the written composition of grade six pupils in Southville IV Elementary School using the method of error analysis derived from Corder's (1967). This method has three steps: (1.) Collection of sample errors (2.) Identification of errors and (3.) Description of the errors.

RESULTS

The study found out that the avoidance strategy with the highest productivity used by learners of all the proficiency levels is simplification by omission which occurs in over half of the 10 compositions. Majority of them simply omit the use of the inflection while others use alternative forms that are completely wrong in the contexts. Pupils resort mainly to simplification by omission and over generalization to overcome these difficulties.

DISCUSSIONS

Given the difficulty faced by second language learners it is necessary to set new parameters that suit with such exceptional rules, over generalization problems like the one above are therefore expected to be a common feature in the development of the interlanguage of Filipino learners of English.