language typology and language transfer

william e. rutherford
1983

ESL students trying to make topic-comment constructions:

"1a. These ways almost can classify two types.

3. A man choose a wife is a man's business [level 3]

5. Choosing a husband or wife in my country is quite an interesting thing [level 5]"

Rutherford found that Mandarin L1 students produced 10% topic-comment constructions, which supports what Li & Thompson argued for Chinese.

Topic-Comment:
10a. "In my country man and woman chooses husband or wife 0 is very simple [level 3]"

Uses "this as subject:
10b. "Choose a good husband or wife, this is very important problem for everybody [level 4]"

The way an English speaker would mark a subject:
10c"...choosinga husband or a wife is one of the essentials of life [level 5]"

13a1. "The streat of in the United States have a many many road..
2. In my country hasn't army, navy, and air force.

b1. Japan, just like other countries, we have distinctive history."