Word order errors in Korean noun phrases among undergraduate students majoring in Korean

Abstract

This study investigates word order errors in Korean noun phrases made by Vietnamese students majoring in Korean. Based on theoretical foundations in error analysis and noun phrase structures in both Vietnamese and Korean, this study identifies and analyzes common types of word order errors found in Korean noun phrases produced by Vietnamese learners. These include errors in the ordering of numerals and nouns, the placement of class and unit nouns, and the construction of complex noun phrases with multiple modifiers. The findings reveal that the influence of the learners’ native language, particularly Vietnamese syntactic patterns, is a key factor contributing to misordering-especially in the placement of modifiers and head nouns. The paper further proposes several types of exercises aimed at helping learners recognize and correct these errors, thereby improving their syntactic awareness and accuracy. The research contributes to the development of more effective Korean grammar instruction for Vietnamese learners and provides a valuable perspective for contrastive linguistics and bilingual error analysis. The study also suggests pedagogical implications for curriculum design and highlights the need for targeted interventions in Korean language education in Vietnam.