Lack of exposure to Japanese language

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 41 views

Analysis of Interference on Japanese Essay Students Semester 6 USU Japanese Literature: Challenges in Mastering Second Language

Introduction

Sociolinguistics studies the close relationships between society and language, providing valuable insights into how the influence of the mother tongue affects the use of a second language. In the context of foreign language learning, sociolinguistics helps us understand the complexities of language acquisition and the challenges that bilingual speakers face. One of the fascinating phenomena in sociolinguistics is language interference, which refers to the disorder or language chaos experienced by bilingual speakers. This interference occurs due to the dominance of the mother tongue, resulting in the use of foreign languages or second languages being affected.

In this study, we analyze interference on Japanese essays in the 6th semester of USU Japanese literature students. After learning Japanese for three years, students are expected to have intermediate/average language skills. However, the results of the analysis of the essay show that interference still occurs, especially at the lexical and grammatical levels. This study aims to investigate the types of interference that occur in Japanese essays and the factors that contribute to these interferences.

Language Interference: Types and Characteristics

Language interference is divided into three types:

Lexical Interference

Lexical interference involves errors in the use of words, such as the use of verbs, adjectives, or nouns that are not appropriate in the context of Japanese. This type of interference occurs when students use words from their mother tongue in place of Japanese words, resulting in incorrect or inappropriate language use.

Grammatical Interference

Grammatical interference is related to errors in grammar, sentence patterns, and sentence structure. For example, reduction or addition of morphemes, changes in morpheme functions, and the neglect of morphemes that should exist. This type of interference occurs when students struggle to understand and apply Japanese grammar rules, resulting in incorrect sentence structure and word order.

Phonological Interference

Phonological interference occurs at the level of pronunciation, such as errors in sound pronunciation or intonation. This type of interference occurs when students struggle to pronounce Japanese sounds correctly, resulting in incorrect pronunciation and intonation.

Interference on Student Essays

This study analyzes 19 sentences that experience interference in student essays. The results show the dominance of grammatical interference compared to lexical interference. This shows that students still have difficulty in understanding and applying Japanese structures that are different from Indonesian.

The analysis of the student essays reveals that the most common types of interference are:

Grammatical errors: Students often struggle to understand and apply Japanese grammar rules, resulting in incorrect sentence structure and word order.
Lexical errors: Students often use words from their mother tongue in place of Japanese words, resulting in incorrect or inappropriate language use.
Phonological errors: Students often struggle to pronounce Japanese sounds correctly, resulting in incorrect pronunciation and intonation.

Factors Contributing to Interference

The main factor that causes interference is the influence of a strong mother tongue. Students tend to use Indonesian mindset and grammar when writing in Japanese. The ability to use the right Japanese vocabulary is still lacking.

Other factors that contribute to interference include:

Lack of exposure to Japanese language: Students may not have sufficient exposure to the Japanese language, resulting in a lack of understanding of Japanese grammar and vocabulary.
Insufficient practice: Students may not have sufficient practice in using Japanese language, resulting in a lack of fluency and accuracy.
Cultural differences: Students may struggle to understand and apply Japanese cultural norms and values, resulting in incorrect language use.

Implications and Suggestions

The results of this study have several important implications:

Increased Awareness

Students need to be more aware of the influence of mother tongue on the use of Japanese. By increasing awareness of interference, students can take steps to overcome these challenges and improve their language skills.

More Focused Learning

Learning Japanese Language needs to emphasize more on the understanding of Japanese structures and grammar, as well as the use of the right vocabulary. By focusing on these areas, students can improve their language skills and reduce interference.

Practical Exercise

Students need more practice and speaking in Japanese to improve their abilities and reduce interference. By engaging in practical exercises, students can develop their language skills and become more confident in using Japanese.

Conclusion

This study shows that mastery of a second language is a complex process and requires serious time and effort. By increasing awareness of interference and applying the right learning strategies, students can overcome challenges in mastering Japanese and achieving better language skills. The results of this study have important implications for language teaching and learning, highlighting the need for more focused learning and practical exercises to improve language skills.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Language teachers: Language teachers should be aware of the influence of mother tongue on the use of Japanese and provide students with more focused learning and practical exercises to improve language skills.
Language learners: Language learners should be more aware of the influence of mother tongue on the use of Japanese and take steps to overcome these challenges and improve their language skills.
Language curriculum: The language curriculum should be revised to include more focused learning and practical exercises to improve language skills.

By implementing these recommendations, students can overcome challenges in mastering Japanese and achieve better language skills.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Interference on Japanese Essay Students Semester 6 USU Japanese Literature

Q&A

Q: What is language interference?

A: Language interference refers to the disorder or language chaos experienced by bilingual speakers. This interference occurs due to the dominance of the mother tongue, resulting in the use of foreign languages or second languages being affected.

Q: What are the types of language interference?

A: There are three types of language interference:

Lexical interference: Involves errors in the use of words, such as the use of verbs, adjectives, or nouns that are not appropriate in the context of Japanese.
Grammatical interference: Related to errors in grammar, sentence patterns, and sentence structure.
Phonological interference: Occurs at the level of pronunciation, such as errors in sound pronunciation or intonation.

Q: What are the common types of interference in Japanese essays?

A: The most common types of interference in Japanese essays are:

Grammatical errors: Students often struggle to understand and apply Japanese grammar rules, resulting in incorrect sentence structure and word order.
Lexical errors: Students often use words from their mother tongue in place of Japanese words, resulting in incorrect or inappropriate language use.
Phonological errors: Students often struggle to pronounce Japanese sounds correctly, resulting in incorrect pronunciation and intonation.

Q: What are the factors contributing to language interference?

A: The main factor that causes interference is the influence of a strong mother tongue. Students tend to use Indonesian mindset and grammar when writing in Japanese. The ability to use the right Japanese vocabulary is still lacking. Other factors that contribute to interference include:

Lack of exposure to Japanese language: Students may not have sufficient exposure to the Japanese language, resulting in a lack of understanding of Japanese grammar and vocabulary.
Insufficient practice: Students may not have sufficient practice in using Japanese language, resulting in a lack of fluency and accuracy.
Cultural differences: Students may struggle to understand and apply Japanese cultural norms and values, resulting in incorrect language use.

Q: How can students overcome language interference?

A: Students can overcome language interference by:

Increasing awareness: Students need to be more aware of the influence of mother tongue on the use of Japanese.
More focused learning: Learning Japanese Language needs to emphasize more on the understanding of Japanese structures and grammar, as well as the use of the right vocabulary.
Practical exercise: Students need more practice and speaking in Japanese to improve their abilities and reduce interference.

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

A: The results of this study have important implications for language teaching and learning, highlighting the need for more focused learning and practical exercises to improve language skills.

Q: What are the recommendations for language teachers and learners?

A: Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Language teachers: Language teachers should be aware of the influence of mother tongue on the use of Japanese and provide students with more focused learning and practical exercises to improve language skills.
Language learners: Language learners should be more aware of the influence of mother tongue on the use of Japanese and take steps to overcome these challenges and improve their language skills.
Language curriculum: The language curriculum should be revised to include more focused learning and practical exercises to improve language skills.

Conclusion

Language interference is a complex phenomenon that affects language learners and teachers. By understanding the types and factors contributing to language interference, students and teachers can take steps to overcome these challenges and improve language skills. The recommendations provided in this article can help language teachers and learners to develop more effective language learning strategies and improve language skills.