Article published In:
ITL - International Journal of Applied LinguisticsVol. 81/82 (1988) ► pp.73–111
Vol. 81/82 (1988) ► pp.73–111
Interference in Second Language Learning
The Acquisition of English and Tamil Phonemes by the Native Speakers of Tamil and English
This study deals with the acquisition of English and Tamil as a second language and to explain the errors found in the speech of L2 learners caused by the interference from the first language within the frame of reference of the phonological system of the target language (L2) as perceived and produced by the native speaker of the first language (L1). The overall systems are compared so as to highlight the most genera] similarities and differences. The comparison also focuses on the similarities and contrasts between the phonetic manifestations of each phonological unit of L1 and its counterpart in L2. The data from the actual speech of English and Tamil by the L2 speakers are used to bring out the contrast between the two languages and the L1 interference on L2.
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