An error analysis of indirect speech usage by Vietnamese learners of Korean language

Abstract

Against the backdrop of the elevated bilateral relations between Vietnam and South Korea to a “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,” the demand for Korean language proficiency among Vietnamese workforce has surged. Nonetheless, Vietnamese learners of Korean language still encounter many challenges, particularly in grammar, especially indirect speech. This study aims to identify common errors made by Vietnamese learners when using this grammatical structure, thereby pinpointing the specific causes and proposing the effective solutions for these errors. To achieve this goal, the study conducted an error analysis on a large corpus of the Vietnamese learner of Korean language data collected from the National Institute of Korean Language. The research findings reveal that Vietnamese learners of Korean language make various errors in the indirect speech, primarily attributed to the interference of their native language (Vietnamese language) and the target language (Korean language). Based on the research results, this paper suggests several recommendations to address these limitations. Specifically, it is essential to enhance the comparison and contrast between the grammatical structures of the two languages, design diverse and flexible practice exercises, and prioritize the creation of real-life communication situations to enable learners to apply their acquired knowledge.