A study of adult Japanese EFL learners: The possible relationship between the L1 and grammatical errors

Abstract

It is a popular belief that first language (L1) has interference in second language (L2) acquisition. When learners rely on their first language when writing in the L2, a high frequency of errors occurs in the L2 when the structures of the two languages are different. Bryant (1984) identifies two kinds of errors in English which Japanese EFL students often make: 1) interlingual (i.e. mother-tongue, or L1) errors; and 2) intralingual (L2) errors. Interlingual errors arise when there is an unconscious attempt to transfer certain native Japanese structures to English. Intralingual errors on the other hand, are often the result of misinterpretations and overgeneralization of English grammar rules.