Discusses the strong contrastive analysis hypothesis, which claims predictive powers for contrastive analysis, and the weak hypothesis, which claims only that contrastive analysis can help account for observed difficulties in second language learning. The strong hypothesis is found untenable, and difficulties with the weak hypothesis are discussed…

SINCE MANY STUDENTS OF PORTUGUESE HAVE SOME PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE OF SPANISH, THE TEACHER OF PORTUGUESE SHOULD BE AWARE OF THE EFFECTS CAUSED BY THE CLOSE STRUCTURAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THESE LANGUAGES. THE AUTHOR BELIEVES THAT "FOR PRACTICAL PURPOSES, AN AMERICAN ENGLISH SPEAKER WHO HAS A REASONABLE (UNDEFINED) COMMAND OF SPANISH WILL REACT TO…

Pessimism regarding pedagogical applications of contrastive studies, and reasons therefore, are described. Several misunderstandings believed to contribute to this pessimism, and several areas of controversy concerning uses of contrastive studies, are discussed. See FL 508 197 for availability. (RM)

The use of contrastive analysis in foreign language teaching is based on five assumptions: (1) that the prime cause of difficulty and error in foreign language learning is interference from the learners' native language; (2) that these difficulties are due chiefly to the differences between the two languages; (3) that the greater these…

The need for a contrastive approach in foreign language teaching has long been recognized, but in the construction of textbook materials and in classroom practice it has rarely been realized. For pedagogical purposes a useful distinction can be drawn between difference and contrast. Differences can be taught as new items of knowledge, whereas…

Discusses lexical interference for Germans learning Russian, appearing in (1) imperfect equivalencies, (2) differences in the ways the two languages realize "deeper meanings." Using a contrastive approach, guidelines for teaching are suggested. Some typical lexical errors are analyzed, and suggestions offered for avoiding them. (Text is in…

Explanation of a frequent error made by Thai speakers of English in pronouncing Good Morning!'' (RS)

Laments the lack of attention given to interference in vocabulary learning as contrasted with that accorded to interference in the communicative function of language, because the former is of greater qualitative importance. Gives examples from several languages showing the origins and bases of interference. (IFS/WGA)

It is argued that contrastive linguistics cannot necessarily be used to simplify teaching of a foreign language by leaving out areas in which the mother tongue and target language are similar. Possessional adjectives in English and German are discussed in support of this argument. (RM)

Discusses the various problems arising in teaching the German pronoun (and expletive) "es" ("it") to Rumanians. There is no universally usable correspondence to "es" in Rumanian, where it is sometimes lacking, with the subject absent in either the deep structure or the surface structure. (IFS/WGA)

Speakers of Italian often have problems mastering Spanish because they erroneously believe its great similiarity to Italian makes it easy to learn. One of the fundamental problems is the lack of ability to choose the correct verb, "ser" or "estar," both equivalents of the Italian "essere." (Text is in Spanish.) (CFM)

Suggests that the Contrastive Analysis Hypothesis (CAH) be revised to incorporate a notion of degree of difficulty which corresponds to the notion of typological markedness. (Author/CFM)

This article makes two points about foreign language: (1) proper pronunciation is indispensable to initial accuracy and comprehension, as well as to later study of literature and culture; and (2) the best approach to pronunciation is based on the native language as a contrastive model. Taking as an example the learning of German by…