Contrastive Analysis

Contrastive Analysis

1. It emerged in the 20th Century

   • As one of most popular pursuits of "Applied Linguistics".

2. It means the study of two languages in contrast.

   • It is also known as "CONTRASTIVE ANALYSIS HYPOTHESIS"
     • CAH claimed that the main barrier to SLA is the interference of the first language system with the SL system and that a scientific, structural analysis of the two languages in question would yield a taxonomy of linguistic contrasts between them which in turn would enable the linguist to predict the difficulties a learner would encounter.

3. important concept

   • INTERFERENCE
     • Where no interference could be predicted, no difficulty would be experienced since one could transfer positively all other items in a language.
       • This led to an "Empirical Method of Prediction" suggested by Stockwell, Bowen and Martin (1965)
         • "HIERARCHY OF DIFFICULTY"
           • After adapted by Clifford Prator (1976)
             • Prator's hierarchy was applicable to both grammatical and phonological features of language.
               • Level 0: transfer Level 1: coalescence Level 2: underdifferentiation Level 3: Reinterpretation Level 4: Overdifferentiation Level 5: Split