DefinePK

Research Objective

To examine the English morphosyntactic trials and issues in interlanguage development among Balti enrollees, specifically focusing on verbatim transformation practices.

Methodology

Qualitative case study employing focus group discussions with purposive sampling of four elementary-level Balti students learning English as an L2. Data was analyzed using thematic analysis to identify codes, themes, and global themes related to morphosyntactic errors. The study focused on sentence formation in the present tense and its transformations.

Methodology Flowchart

                        graph TD
    A["Identify Research Objective"] --> B["Select Case Study: Balti Enrollees"];
    B --> C["Data Collection: Focus Group Discussion"];
    C --> D["Purposive Sampling of 4 Students"];
    D --> E["Record and Transcribe Discussion"];
    E --> F["Data Analysis: Thematic Analysis"];
    F --> G["Identify Codes and Themes"];
    G --> H["Identify Global Theme: Interlanguage Unfolding"];
    H --> I["Formulate Findings and Conclusions"];                    

Discussion

The study highlights how the verbatim translation practice, where L1 rules are directly applied to L2, contributes significantly to interlanguage unfolding and morphosyntactic errors in English for Balti speakers. The contrast in word order (SOV in Balti vs. SVO in English) and the application of L1 rules for verb conjugation and person agreement are identified as primary sources of these challenges. The findings suggest that a lack of awareness of these linguistic differences and the reliance on verbatim strategies hinder effective L2 acquisition.

Key Findings

Major dissimilarities in morphosyntactic structures between Balti (L1) and English (L2) lead to interlanguage issues and fossilization for Balti learners. Key errors identified include subject-verb concord, incorrect use of persons, and negation errors, often stemming from verbatim translation and the interference of L1 morphosyntactic rules.

Conclusion

Interlanguage unfolding, driven by verbatim translation and the interference of Balti morphosyntactic rules, negatively impacts the learning and application of English as an L2 for Balti enrollees. The study identifies specific morphosyntactic errors in sentence formation, subject-verb concord, use of persons, and negation. The findings offer insights for ESL instructors to develop more effective pedagogical strategies, emphasizing the importance of addressing these interlanguage trials and leveraging concepts like the "zone of proximal development."

Fact Check

1. Publication Date: The paper is published in the September 2024 issue of the Journal of Asian Development Studies. (Confirmed by journal header)
2. L1 Language: The study focuses on Balti speakers learning English as an L2. (Confirmed by title and abstract)
3. Word Order Contrast: Balti language follows a Subject + Object + Verb (SOV) structure, while English uses Subject + Verb + Object (SVO). (Confirmed in the Analysis and Implications section)

Mind Map