Lexical Transfer from Mɛnde and Kàthemnɛ in English Proficiency: A Comparative Lexico-Semantic Analysis

Abstract

This study is a comparative analysis of Mɛnde and Kàthemnɛ interference in pupils' second language (L2) learning in ten selected Senior Secondary Schools, five located in Bo City (Southern Sierra Leone) and five in Makeni (Northern Sierra Leone). The objectives of the study include identifying the different areas of phonological interference, as well as examining the primary causes and impacts of Mɛnde and Kàthemnɛ interference on the teaching and learning of English. The study further explores whether or not the mother tongue actually interferes with English language acquisition in the selected regions.