A Contrastive Analysis of English and Igbo Segmental Features: Implications in ESL Learning.

Abstract

The aim of a Contrastive study is to examine the differences that exist between languages, as well as to ascertain the challenges they pose to second language learners. This paper focuses on a contrastive analysis of the segmental features of the Igbo and the English languages with emphasis on the implication of the differences in the learning of English as a second language by people whose first language is Igbo. The study reveals that while the Igbo language has more consonants than the English language, the English language has more vowels than the Igbo language. Here lies the problem of the Igbo learner of the English language. The study ends with some suggestions on how to eradicate or, at least, grossly minimize the resultant interference.