Language Transfer In Locative Prepositional Usages By Non-Native Speakers

Abstract

Inequivalence is inevitable when bridging any two distinct languages. In the perspective of Cognitive Linguistics (CL), where language does not operate solely with its system of rules but altogether with other processes of cognition on the outside world, this inequivalence is supposed to be explained by the variances of spatial orientation utilizing linguistic forms. Many studied have focused on the polysemy network under the Prototype theory of a specific preposition. Within that theoretical framework, this research focuses on the Spatial relation perspective of the group of three locative prepositions: above, on and over in contrast with their assumed synonym trên in Vietnamese. This study explores Vietnamese and English spatial cognition differences via linguistic forms, resulting in the cross-linguistic interferences on Vietnamese speakers’ uses of English locative prepositions. The study finds that while trên is the closest equivalence to above, on is used more frequently. Statistics analysis is applied to validate the findings. This thesis raises awareness for second language acquisition (SLA) researchers and English teachers over the prepositional mistakes/errors of non-native learners and the pedagogical factors that influence the usages of L2 prepositions.