Identifying forms of mother tongue interference in the Mandarin language phonology

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 110 views

Interference of Maternal Language Phonology Against Mandarin Language Phonology in Level II Students of Chinese Literature Faculty of Cultural Sciences USU

Introduction

The study of language interference is a crucial aspect of understanding how the mother tongue affects the pronunciation and structure of a second language, in this case, Mandarin. The Faculty of Cultural Sciences at the University of North Sumatra (USU) has a Chinese Literature Study Program that attracts students from diverse linguistic backgrounds. This study aims to investigate the influence of the mother tongue on the pronunciation and structure of Mandarin language phonology among Level II students of the Chinese Literature Study Program.

Research Purposes

This study has two main objectives:

Identifying forms of mother tongue interference in the Mandarin language phonology: This objective aims to identify the specific ways in which the mother tongue affects the pronunciation and structure of Mandarin language phonology among Level II students.
Describe the factors that cause the interference: This objective aims to describe the factors that contribute to the interference of mother tongue phonology on Mandarin language phonology.

Research Methods

The method used in this study is descriptive qualitative, which involves collecting and analyzing data through observation and interviews. The data analyzed is taken from the 汉语普通话声韵母拼合表 (hànyǔ pǔtōnghuà shēng yùnmǔ pīnhé biǎo), which is contained in the book 汉语教程 - 第一册第一册 (hànyǔ jiàochéng - dì yī cè). The data is in the form of a combination of consonant sounds (kotoid) and vocal sounds (vocoid) in Mandarin, which are produced through recording of student pronunciation.

In the data analysis phase, researchers used the Sudaryanto Padan Method, which involves analyzing the data to identify patterns and trends. The results of the analysis showed four forms of consonant sound changes and eight forms of vocal sound changes that occurred in pronunciation 汉语普通话声韵母拼合表 by students of the Chinese Literature Study Program at the University of North Sumatra Level II.

Factors Causing Interference

Several factors were found to cause phonological interference, including:

Language Contact: The interaction between the mother tongue and the Mandarin language learned by students often causes mixing in the pronunciation and understanding of phonology.
The discrepancy of speech participants: Students who are bilingual speakers often bring the habit of pronunciation from their mother tongue into Mandarin, resulting in pronunciation that is not in accordance with the rules of the Mandarin phonological.
Effects of Maternal Language (B1): The influence caused by the habit of speaking in mother tongue can cause changes in the pronunciation of Mandarin sounds, which have the potential to interfere with effective communication.

Conclusion

This study shows that the interference of mother tongue phonology towards Mandarin is quite significant in Chinese Literature students of the USU Faculty of Cultural Sciences. The existence of language contacts, the downturn, and influence of mother tongue is a key factor that influences the way students say and understand the phonology of Mandarin. Therefore, a better understanding of these factors can help in formulating more effective teaching strategies to improve students' Mandarin language skills.

Implications for Teaching and Learning

The findings of this study have several implications for teaching and learning Mandarin language. Firstly, teachers should be aware of the potential for mother tongue interference and take steps to address it. This can be done by providing students with explicit instruction on Mandarin phonology and encouraging them to practice speaking and listening in Mandarin. Secondly, teachers should also be aware of the factors that contribute to mother tongue interference, such as language contact and the discrepancy of speech participants. By understanding these factors, teachers can develop strategies to mitigate their effects and improve students' Mandarin language skills.

Future Research Directions

This study provides a foundation for further research on the topic of mother tongue interference in Mandarin language phonology. Future studies could investigate the specific ways in which mother tongue interference affects students' pronunciation and comprehension of Mandarin language. Additionally, future studies could explore the effectiveness of different teaching strategies in mitigating mother tongue interference and improving students' Mandarin language skills.

References

汉语普通话声韵母拼合表 (hànyǔ pǔtōnghuà shēng yùnmǔ pīnhé biǎo)
汉语教程 - 第一册第一册 (hànyǔ jiàochéng - dì yī cè)
Sudaryanto Padan Method

Note: The references provided are in Chinese, as the study is focused on Mandarin language phonology. However, the references can be translated into English for the purpose of this article.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Interference of Maternal Language Phonology Against Mandarin Language Phonology

Q: What is language interference?

A: Language interference refers to the influence of a learner's native language on their ability to learn and use a second language. In the context of this study, language interference refers to the influence of the mother tongue on the pronunciation and structure of Mandarin language phonology.

Q: What are the main factors that contribute to language interference?

A: The main factors that contribute to language interference include language contact, the discrepancy of speech participants, and the effects of maternal language (B1).

Q: What is language contact?

A: Language contact refers to the interaction between the mother tongue and the Mandarin language learned by students. This interaction can cause mixing in the pronunciation and understanding of phonology.

Q: What is the discrepancy of speech participants?

A: The discrepancy of speech participants refers to the difference between the way students speak their mother tongue and the way they speak Mandarin. This discrepancy can result in pronunciation that is not in accordance with the rules of the Mandarin phonological.

Q: What are the effects of maternal language (B1)?

A: The effects of maternal language (B1) refer to the influence caused by the habit of speaking in mother tongue on the pronunciation of Mandarin sounds. This influence can have the potential to interfere with effective communication.

Q: How can teachers mitigate language interference?

A: Teachers can mitigate language interference by providing students with explicit instruction on Mandarin phonology and encouraging them to practice speaking and listening in Mandarin. Teachers should also be aware of the factors that contribute to language interference and develop strategies to address them.

Q: What are the implications of language interference for teaching and learning Mandarin language?

A: The implications of language interference for teaching and learning Mandarin language are significant. Teachers should be aware of the potential for language interference and take steps to address it. This can be done by providing students with explicit instruction on Mandarin phonology and encouraging them to practice speaking and listening in Mandarin.

Q: What are the future research directions for language interference in Mandarin language phonology?

A: Future research directions for language interference in Mandarin language phonology include investigating the specific ways in which language interference affects students' pronunciation and comprehension of Mandarin language. Additionally, future research could explore the effectiveness of different teaching strategies in mitigating language interference and improving students' Mandarin language skills.

Q: What are the limitations of this study?

A: The limitations of this study include the small sample size and the fact that the study was conducted in a specific context (the University of North Sumatra). Future studies should aim to replicate the findings of this study in different contexts and with larger sample sizes.

Q: What are the contributions of this study to the field of language teaching and learning?

A: The contributions of this study to the field of language teaching and learning include providing insights into the factors that contribute to language interference and the implications of language interference for teaching and learning Mandarin language. The study also provides a foundation for future research on language interference in Mandarin language phonology.

Q: What are the practical implications of this study for language teachers and learners?

A: The practical implications of this study for language teachers and learners include the need to be aware of the potential for language interference and to take steps to address it. Teachers should provide students with explicit instruction on Mandarin phonology and encourage them to practice speaking and listening in Mandarin. Learners should also be aware of the potential for language interference and take steps to mitigate its effects.