Error Analysis of Chinese Noun Classifiers in Second Language Acquisition and Implications for Teaching

Authors

  • Nasri Salem Moneer Abukhader Department of Art & Humanities, Zijingang campus, Zhejiang University, Xihu District, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, China https://orcid.org/0009-0004-2011-4934
  • Chang-Hai Chi Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Al-Ahliyya Amman University , Salt City , Jordan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54536/jnll.v4i2.7094

Keywords:

Applied Linguistics, Arabic, Chinese, Classifiers, Measure Words

Abstract

This study analyzes errors in the use of noun classifiers in the teaching of Chinese as a foreign language, drawing on corpus-based data. It investigates common error types in learners’ use of noun classifiers, including omission, overuse, and misuse. From the perspectives of negative transfer from the native language, overgeneralization of target language rules, instructional factors, learning strategies, and communication strategies, the study examines the underlying causes of these errors. On this basis, it proposes targeted pedagogical countermeasures, aiming to provide practical insights for improving the teaching and learning of Chinese noun classifiers.

Author Biographies

  • Nasri Salem Moneer Abukhader, Department of Art & Humanities, Zijingang campus, Zhejiang University, Xihu District, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, China

    Nasri Salem Moneer Abukhader is currently a PhD student in the Art & Humanities Department at Zhejiang University, specializing in Linguistics and Applied Linguistics. His research interests focus on the challenges faced by foreign learners in studying Chinese, particularly from the perspective of applied linguistics, including the linguistic difficulties learners encounter and strategies to address gaps in this field. Nasri also studies comparative linguistics, language acquisition, and cross-cultural communication, with a focus on the syntactic and semantic properties of Chinese and Arabic.He holds a master’s degree in Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages from Zhejiang University. He has published his master’s thesis, The Study on the Negative Transfer of Reading Direction from Arabic to Chinese, which has been widely referenced by students and educators. Additionally, his research includes the published study A Comparative Analysis of the Combinatorial Properties of Chinese Measure Words and Arabic Classifiers, aiming to bridge gaps between the two linguistic systems and improve Chinese language pedagogy for Arab learners.In his current work, Nasri continues to explore error patterns, teaching strategies, and methods to facilitate effective Chinese language acquisition for non-native speakers. Beyond academia, he is passionate about promoting intercultural understanding through language education.

  • Chang-Hai Chi, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Al-Ahliyya Amman University , Salt City , Jordan

    Professor Chang-Hai Chi is the Deputy Director of the Chinese Language Research Institute at Zhejiang University. Born in March 1964 in Xuancheng, Anhui Province, Professor Chi is a distinguished faculty member in the Department of Chinese Language and Literature at the College of Humanities, Zhejiang University. He is also a PhD supervisor. Originally from Pingyang, Zhejiang, Professor Chi graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the Department of Chinese Language at Anhui Normal University in 1987. He earned his master’s degree in modern Chinese from the Department of Chinese Language at Hangzhou University in 1990 and subsequently joined the faculty. In 1999, he completed his PhD in the History of Chinese Language at Zhejiang University. As a specialist at Zhejiang University's Center for Chinese Historical Linguistics, he has made significant contributions to the field of linguistics and applied linguistics. Professor Chi's academic journey and extensive research have established him as a leading figure in the study of Chinese linguistics.

References

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JNLL, E-Palli publishers

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Published

2026-09-05

Issue

Vol. 4 No. 2 (2026): Journal of Natural Language and Linguistics

Section

Research Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Nasri Salem Moneer Abukhader, Chang-Hai Chi

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Abukhader, N. S. M. ., & Chang-Hai, . C. (2026). Error Analysis of Chinese Noun Classifiers in Second Language Acquisition and Implications for Teaching. Journal of Natural Language and Linguistics, 4(2), 32-36. https://doi.org/10.54536/jnll.v4i2.7094

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