A CORPUS-BASED DESCRIPTION OF GRAMMATICAL ERRORS IN UZBEK EFL LEARNER WRITING
Keywords:
learner corpus, grammatical errors, Uzbekistan, EFL writing, interlanguage, L1 transfer, corpus linguistics, B2 level learnersAbstract
This study provides a descriptive analysis of grammatical errors in the written English of Uzbek upper-intermediate (B2 level) learners, using a small-scale learner corpus compiled from authentic student essays in academic lyceums and language schools in Uzbekistan. Drawing on principles of corpus linguistics and second language acquisition, the research aims to identify recurrent error types, categorize them, and uncover patterns of learner interlanguage shaped by L1 influence and developmental factors. The corpus, consisting of approximately 20,000 words, was analyzed using AntConc software to extract frequency data and concordance lines. The most common grammatical errors were found in the use of verb tense/aspect, article usage, subject-verb agreement, and prepositions. Many of these errors appear to stem from negative transfer from Uzbek and Russian, which lack certain grammatical categories found in English. The findings provide insight into the grammatical challenges faced by Uzbek learners and offer implications for grammar instruction, curriculum design, and teacher training in EFL contexts across Central Asia.
References
1. Abduazizov, S., & Umarova, D. (2022). Challenges in EFL Writing among Uzbek Learners: A Classroom-Based Perspective. Uzbekistan Journal of Foreign Language Teaching.
2. Boulton, A., & Cobb, T. (2017). Corpus use in language learning: A meta-analysis. Language Learning, 67(2), 348–393. https://doi.org/10.1111/lang.12224
3. Corder, S. P. (1967). The significance of learners' errors. International Review of Applied Linguistics, 5(4), 161–170.
4. Ellis, R. (2008). The study of second language acquisition (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press.
5. Ellis, R., & Shintani, N. (2014). Exploring language pedagogy through second language acquisition research. Routledge.
6. Granger, S., Gilquin, G., & Meunier, F. (2015). The Cambridge Handbook of Learner Corpus Research. Cambridge University Press.
7. Han, Z. (2004). Fossilization in adult second language acquisition. Multilingual Matters.
8. Hasanova, D. (2020). Error Analysis in the English Writings of Uzbek University Students. Journal of Applied Linguistics and Language Research, 7(4), 102–115.
9. Ionin, T., Ko, H., & Wexler, K. (2004). Article semantics in L2 acquisition: The role of specificity. Language Acquisition, 12(1), 3–69. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327817la1201_2
10. Johns, T. (1991). Should you be persuaded: Two examples of data-driven learning. ELR Journal, 4, 1–16.
11. Muminov, A. (2021). The Impact of L1 on English Article Use by Uzbek EFL Learners. International Journal of English Linguistics, 11(6), 89–98.
12. Nazarova, S., & Kadyrova, M. (2023). Investigating Verb Tense Errors in the Writing of Uzbek EFL Learners. Journal of Language and Education, 9(2), 67–76.
13. Nesselhauf, N. (2004). Learner corpora and their potential for language teaching. ReCALL, 16(2), 279–294.
14. Odlin, T. (1989). Language Transfer: Cross-Linguistic Influence in Language Learning. Cambridge University Press.
15. Ortega, L. (2013). Understanding second language acquisition. Routledge.
16. Römer, U. (2022). Learner corpus research: Past, present, and future. Language Teaching, 55(2), 133–147.
17. Selinker, L. (1972). Interlanguage. International Review of Applied Linguistics in Language Teaching, 10(3), 209–231. https://doi.org/10.1515/iral.1972.10.1-4.209
18. Sinclair, J. (1991). Corpus, concordance, collocation. Oxford University Press.
19. Zhang, Y., & Liu, J. (2021). Persistent grammatical errors in L2 English: A corpus study. Journal of Second Language Writing, 54, 101785. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jslw.2021.101785
