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Error notation

From Teflpedia

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]

References[edit | edit source]