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Error notation
Error notation (/erə(r) nəʊteɪʃən/) is a type of linguistic notation used to notate errors.[1] The most common use is a leading asterisk to indicate an error, however other symbols are also used, though their usage is not universal.
Since EFL learners frequently produce errors, this is important.
List of notations[edit | edit source]
The asterisk is commonly used and understood among teachers to indicate a language error. The other symbols may simply cause confusion and may be best reserved for a linguistics audience.
Symbol | Symbol name | Meaning | Example |
---|---|---|---|
* | asterisk | Asserts that which follows was produced but is an error. | *“Shane more shorter than Bernie.” |
? | question mark | Indicates that the author is unsure whether that which follows is erroneous | ?“There are less people in the class than before.” |
! | exclamation mark | Indicates that the author considers that which follows to be non-standard language | |
% | percentage sign | Indicates the author considers that which follows is grammatical only in a non-standard dialect. | %“If I wouldn’t have gone running, I wouldn’t have hurt myself.” |
# | hash | Indicates the author considers that which follows has semantic or pragmatic weirdness. | #“Colorless green ideas sleep furiously.” |
& | ampersand | Indicates the author considers that which follows to be ambiguous |
These can be combined, e.g. #*“Colorless green ideas sleeps furious.”
When quoting, especially outside of linguistics, sic is often used.[2]