Masters Dissertations

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Browsing Masters Dissertations by Author "Albin, Anselmina"

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    An analysis of lexical errors in English subtitles in bongo movies and how they are perceived by Swahili learners of English.
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2018) Albin, Anselmina
    The study investigates lexical errors in English subtitles in Bongo Movies and the way these subtitles are perceived by Swahili learners of English. Data for the present study was collected from films and also through focus group discussions. The samples which were deliberately selected comprised two Bongo Movies with English subtitles and 26 Form III students from Makongo and Jitegemee secondary schools. The data collected from films were analysed in Error Analysis steps, whereas data from focus group discussions wereanalysed thematically. The findings reveal the following. Firstly, lexical errors in the English subtitles in the Bongo Movies occur in a certain consistent manner, in this regard, five patterns were identified, namely: distortion 32%; misinformation 31%; misselection 14%; a confusion of sense relation 14%; and collocation 9%. Secondly, the reasons for the errors were reported to be: (1) low English language proficiency of the subtitlers which goes in hand with their unprofessionalism as translators, and (2) language differences between Swahili and English, which is also linked to their low English language proficiency. Thirdly, students’ perception of the use of the English subtitles varied depending on whether they use them or not. However, 22 out of 26 participants perceive them as a beneficial learning tool, but, their attitude towards erroneous subtitles was worrisome. Thus, the study concludes that lexical errors in the English Subtitles in the Bongo Movies influence learners negatively because their acquisition of English proficiency is limited to erroneous input. The study recommends that film stakeholders should pay attention to grammaticality of the English subtitles in the Bongo movies because there are those learners who learn English.