A Chinese Learner English Corpus-Based Error Analysis And Research Into College Non-English Major's Interlanguage

Based on the theories of Interlanguage (IL) and Error Analysis (EA), the present study has conducted a quantitative and qualitative research of Chinese non-English major' IL errors applying corpus approach. The study uses data taken from the two sub-corpora of the Chinese Learner English Corpus (CLEC) that have been compiled mainly by Professor Gui Shichun and Professor Yang Huizhong. The concordance software Wordsmith is used in the study.The author first reviews the development of IL theory and EA and then analyzes errors based on the two sub-corpora. More than 60 types of errors taken from the two sub-corpora have been classified, indexed and counted. According to James' classification of error and Gui Shichun's attitude towards error from cognitive aspect, 21 types of errors which frequency is more than 1% have been grouped into three categories at three levels-lexical perceptual level, lexico-grammatical level and syntactical level. Analysis of errors in this thesis is mainly at lexico-grammatical level and syntactical level in the compositions of college students (St3 and St4).This paper will address the following three questions:(1) What types of errors are most frequently found and what is the distributional regularity of IL errors of Chinese non- English major in CLEC?(2) What are the possible causes of IL errors committed by Chinese non-English major based on question one?(3) What implications can we get from the research based on the result of question one and two?The research findings show that "Mother tongue interference is the main cause of errors in the foreign language learning of intermediate learners." and "Emphasis should be placed on teaching of lexical and syntactical levels." and "Error is committed inevitably in the process of language learning, therefore, proper attitude should be taken towards error".Based on the research result of the study, it has been found that error analysis and research is of great help and significance for the researchers and teachers to form a better and systematic understanding of Chinese non-English major' IL error. Finally, this thesis suggests teachers resort to native language corpora and college English course corpora to aid their English language teaching and learning.