The Problems of Iranian Language Learners in Correctly Using German Prepositions

Mohammad Hossein Haddadi,Aida Saidi Tavakoli

doi:10.5539/ass.v12n6p156

Abstract

<p>Due to their various types and forms in different languages, prepositions are assumed as a difficult issue in teaching foreign languages. Thus the authors of the present article carried out a field test with the goal of analyzing the use of prepositions by elementary learners of German. The findings of the test confirm the problems students have in using German prepositions. This article is an attempt to compare Persian and German prepositions. The comparison reveals that prepositions in two languages are in no one-to-one relationship with each other. The findings of this research show that German and Persian prepositions are different on three levels: 1. Meaning 2. Grammatical function 3. Sentential position. Furthermore, German prepositions are so various in form and content that it is almost impossible for a learner to make correspondence between the prepositions of the two systems.</p>

Highlights

After a field test carried out by the author from 90 learners and students of German, it was shown that the students had a number of problems in using prepositions and the way they are practically utilized
German prepositions are so various in form and content that it is almost impossible for a learner to make correspondence between the prepositions of the two systems
We found that the number of prepositions in Persian is less than the number of German prepositions

Summary

Introduction

After a field test carried out by the author from 90 learners and students of German, it was shown that the students had a number of problems in using prepositions and the way they are practically utilized. The analysis of the learners' answers showed the existence of many errors in using the prepositions. This motivated the authors to understand the reason for this shortcoming by studying German prepositions and comparing them with their Persian counterparts. This research attempts to study a few frequent German prepositions and to compare them with Persian prepositions. Given the findings of the study, we will analyze the problems in learning German prepositions

Methods

Discussion

Conclusion