The Interpretation of English Texts and Interference Problems of Bilingual Speakers

Abstract

Interpretation of English texts among the bilingual speakers often raises many problems. This paper is aimed at analyzing the students’ problems as bilingual speakers in the interpretation of English texts. A qualitative research designed was carried out at University of Muslim Nusantara Al Washliyah Medan of Indonesia. The data collected showed that the native language interfering factor dominated the problems in interpretation of English texts. Data showed that the students made errors in phonemes (21 %), morphemes (19 %), Syntaxt (28 %), Semantic and culture (32 %). The interference found was related to cognitive and limited socio-cultural knowledge of English and Anglo –Saxon society in which English speakers using English with cultural aspects. It suggests the instructors in university provide more materials to make students minimize their problems in grasping the cultural aspects of English texts.