A Study on the Errors Made by Tamil Speaking Students in Using Second Language

Abstract

Generally, errors are significant in the second language teaching and learning process. Investigating and analyzing the errors in the second language learning will be useful for not only the students but also teachers, curriculum designers, text book writers and researchers. Therefore, it is a significant study in the second language field. This paper examines the errors made by the non-native Tamil speaking undergraduate students of the University of Kelaniya in using Tamil as a Second Language. Specifically, this paper focuses on the errors in the Writing, Speaking and Translating of Tamil Language. The main objective of this study is to analyze students’ errors in using words, sentences and meaning in Tamil. There are so many factors that make the errors unknowingly in the second language learning process. The specific objective of this study is to identify sources of errors, as it is considered to be problematic for the non - native Tamil speaking students. This difficulty can be attributed to the differences between the first language and the second language (Sinhala and Tamil respectively). The data were collected by selecting 30 students randomly from the faculty of Humanities of the University of Kelaniya as a sample and the same number of scripts was collected and analyzed. Questionnaire, teaching experience and observation were used as the instruments for this purpose. The findings suggest that the Sinhala speaking Tamil Language learners have difficulty in the use of Tamil Language due to mother tongue influence.