Error Analysis on Writing Application Letters Found in JPAC of Politeknik Negeri Bandung

Mieke Miryanti Jurusan Bahasa Inggris Politeknik Negeri Bandung Abstract: This study is intended to find out and analyze not only grammatical errors but also errors in arranging formats of business letters. This study is conducted by using descriptive qualitative approach and the data are from JPAC of Polban holding a Job Fair in 2012. The data of this study are the55 non-English Department students of Politeknik Negeri Bandung joining this Job Fair. The grammatical errors are classified based on the surface strategy taxonomy proposed by Dulay et al (1982), they are omission (71 errors), addition (35 errors), mis-formation (52 errors), and mis-ordering errors, while errors in formats of business letters are based on Taylor (2004), Geffner (1995), and Ashley (1984). The grammatical errors are first classified into five major categories and then they are divided by sub-categories. After observing, it is found that the largest number of errors is preposition. The following most problematic areas respectively are verb, after that article, followed by plural, and the least is tense. Inter-lingual and intra-lingual transfers are considered as the major cause of these errors. Furthermore, the errors in arranging layouts of business letters based on UK concept are classified into 6 categories, and the highest number of errors is found in sender address, followed by enclosure, after that complimentary close, then salutation, date, and the last is style. The cause of the errors is the students are probably lack of the knowledge of English business letter concept. Based on research findings, some suggestions are given to the teachers and the students. The teachers should pay more attention to writing to make the students succeed in providing Standard English sentences and they should give more practicing in writing letters. The students should use most of their spare time in reading English books or newspapers or magazines and they dont be lazy to practice more how to write wellorganized letter. Keywords: grammatical error, application letter, inter and intra lingual

Ragam Jurnal Pengembangan Humaniora Vol. 12 No. 3, Desember 2012

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