Interference of first language verbal system on second language learning

Loveless, Edward Glenn (1973) Interference of first language verbal system on second language learning. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

The aim of this particular study was to examine how an Anglophone’s knowledge of the verbal system of his native language was a source of interference in his learning and use of the French verbal system within the realms of tense, mood, and aspect. -- In order to understand how an English-speaker’s knowledge of the English verbal system can interfere with his learning and utilization of the French verbal system it was necessary to have a description of the two verbal systems. Thus, Chapter One was devoted to a description of the English verbal system, and Chapter Two the French Verbal system. Then, the final four chapters were given to an examination of verbal interference from English. -- In order to undertake the study of verbal interference from English, examination papers of students completing their first, second and third semesters of university studies were examined. From the essays in these papers were elicited student errors which demonstrated that an Anglophone’s knowledge of the English verbal system does, in fact, interfere with his learning and use of the French verbal system. The evidence indicating English verbal interference was deduced from the fact that structures of the English verbal system, which were not common to both languages, were applied incorrectly to the French verbal system. -- Differences in the content systems of the French and English verbal systems are the real source of verbal interference from English. So, the theories of Gustave Guillaume, which he applied to the content system of the French verb and which Hirtle and Hewson (in part) applied to the content system of the English verb were used to explain the verbal interference from English.

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