Analysis of Kanji Reading and Writing Errors of Swedish Learners in Comparison with Levelmatched L1 Learners

Abstract

This chapter offers an analysis of kanji reading and writing error type occurrence tendencies of novice L2 learners of Japanese (Swedish university students) and compared them with those of level-matched L1 learners (Japanese schoolchildren). An experiment was carried out under strictly controlled conditions and the results showed differences in tendencies between reading and writing as well as between L1 and L2 learners. L2 learners made mainly phonological reading errors, whereas L1 learners made mainly circumstantial reading errors. The majority of writing errors were substitution with non-existent pseudokanji for both L1 and L2 learners. The L1 learners demonstrated somewhat better developed phonological awareness. Possible explanations for some of the observed tendencies include L1Writing System transfer and the factors related to the study conditions.