Common Grammar Errors ESL
Students Make:
Use of Homonyms/Homophones
and Cross-language Transfers
Amy C Marty Santos
English Grammar
Prof. Cynthia García
ENGL 245
Introduction
• ESL learners- or ELL’s- often have a tough time
with grammar because they are not
continuously exposed to the language since an
early age.
• One of the most troublesome areas tends to
be the use of homonyms/homophones and
cross language transfers.
What are homonyms/homophones?
• Homophones are words that are pronounced
alike yet have different spelling.
• For example: sail-sale, night-knight, bare-bear.
• Homonyms include homophones and words that
are spelled the same but have different
meanings.
• Examples: bank – edge of a river vs. a financial
institution, bark – sound a dog makes vs. a layer
of a tree.
Cross Language Transfers
• Cross language Transfer can also be known as
linguistic interference.
• It occurs when the learner applies knowledge
from one language to another.
• Negative transfers are when the transfer items
are not the same in both languages.
• Example: embarazada/embarrassed.
Why are they troublesome?
• Both can completely distort the meaning of a
sentence with only one word.
• Homophones can be especially confusing in
writing.
• Linguistic Transfers can alter writing and
speaking.
How can we overcome it?
•
•
•
•
Building vocabulary
Constant exposure
Patience
Practice makes Perfect!!!!
References
•
Brians, P. (2013, November). Common Errors in English Usage. (3rd Edition).
Washington State University, WA. Retrieved March 19, 2015, from
http://public.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/errors.html
•
EnchantedLearning.com. (2002-2015). Homophones/Homonyms. Retrieved March
18, 2015, from Enchanted Learning:
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/english/homonyms/
•
Folse, K. (2009, October). Why K-12 Techers Need To Know AbouT ESL Grammar
Issues. Volume 6, Issue 3-4. University of Central Florida, FL: TESOL International
Association. Retrieved March 18, 2015, from http://www.tesol.org/read-andpublish/journals/other-serial-publications/compleat-links/compleat-links-volume6-issue-3-4-(october-2009)/why-k-12-teachers-need-to-know-about-esl-grammarissues
•
Pesce, C. (2007-2015). 10 Biggest ESL Grammar Mistakes and How to Keep Your
Students from Making Them. Retrieved March 18, 2015, from BusyTeacher.org:
http://busyteacher.org/18253-10-biggest-esl-grammar-mistakes-studentsmake.html