skip to main content

Common Errors Identification in Pronouncing Silent Letters in English Words by EFL Novices

1Sana'a University, Yemen, Yemen

2 New England University, Australia, Yemen

3 Seblas Maret University, Indonesia, Yemen

4 Airlangga Univeristy., Indonesia

View all affiliations
Received: 24 Feb 2021; Published: 30 Apr 2022.
Open Access Copyright (c) 2022 PAROLE: Journal of Linguistics and Education under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.

Citation Format:
Abstract

In English, the sound system is somewhat distinct from Arabic. Yemeni Novices have many difficulties pronouncing English terms owing to this. For example, we often hear English learners pronounce "sight [sait]" with "[saig]" or "know,” [nəʊ]" with "[knəʊ]." This study is concerned with identifying widespread errors in the pronunciation of silent letters in English words among Yemeni EFL learners. Qualitative descriptive study was used in this investigation as a methodology. With the aid of purposive sampling techniques, a sample of 5 EFL novices was selected from 1st level of the English Department, Faculty of Education, Sana'a University, Yemen, which was classified into a group of novice high-level learners (beginners). Analytically descriptive method was used to analyze the data after they were collected through test. The result of this study showed that in pronouncing words containing the silent letters like b, c, d, g, gh, h, k, l, m, n, p, s, t, th, and w, the researcher finds errors made by the EFL novices. He analyzes three positions of the silent letters in the words (initial, medial, and final position) and by understanding this; it would be possible to develop useful instructional materials and teaching strategies to target this issue. 

Fulltext View|Download
Keywords: Errors; English Words; EFL Novices; Silent Letters

Article Metrics:

  1. Ababneh, I. (2018). English pronunciation errors made by Saudi students. European Scientific Journal, ESJ, 14(2)
  2. Alkhuli, M. A. (2000). Comparative Linguistics: English And Arabi. Dar Alfalah
  3. Ellis, R. (2015). Understanding second language acquisition 2nd Edition-Oxford applied linguistics. Oxford university press
  4. Gast, V. (2013). Contrastive analysis. Línea]. Http://Www. Personal. Uni-Jena. de/~ Mu65qev/Papdf/CA. Pdf
  5. Hassan, E. M. I. (2014). Pronunciation Problems: A Case Study of English Language Students at Sudan University of Science and Technology. 33
  6. James, C. (1980). Contrastive Analysis. Harlow:(Addison Wesley Longman Limited)
  7. Kharma, N., & Hajjaj, A. (1989). Errors in English among Arabic speakers: Analysis and remedy. Longman
  8. Mahaputra, B. P. (2017). The problem of silent letters in ESL teaching and learning. Dept. Of Basic Science & Humanities
  9. Mahmoud Jabali, O., & Abuzaid, Y. J. (2017). Pronunciation Errors Committed by Palestinian Students at An-Najah National University: An Analytical Approach. Arab World English Journal (AWEJ) Volume, 8
  10. Podhaizer, M. E. (1998). Painless Spelling. Barron’s Educational Series
  11. Selinker, L., & Gass, S. M. (2008). Second language acquisition. Lawrence Erlhaum Ass
  12. Smith, M. S. B. (2013). Learner English: A teacher’s guide to interference and other problems (2nd ed.). Ernst Klett Sprache
  13. Taqi, H. A., Algharabali, N. A., & Akbar, R. S. (2018). The Realization of English Vowels by Kuwaiti Speakers. International Journal of English Linguistics, 8(4), 1–13
  14. Tuan, L. T. (2010). Teaching English Discrete Sounds through Minimal Pairs. Journal of Language Teaching & Research, 1(5)
  15. Tushyeh, H. Y. (1996). Linguistic problems facing Arab learners of English. ITL-International Journal of Applied Linguistics, 111(1), 109–117

Last update:

No citation recorded.

Last update: 2024-04-20 01:07:29

No citation recorded.