Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

• Mohammad Reza Tollabi
• Reza Morad Sahraei

Department of Linguistics, Faculty of Literature and Foreign Languages, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

This study aims to investigate subject-verb agreement in the writing of non-native Persian learners based on the parameters of Universal Grammar theory. By analyzing writing samples from beginner and pre-intermediate learners of various nationalities, the research seeks to evaluate the alignment of verbs with their subjects. Data analysis reveals that common issues, such as mismatches in person and number, incorrect word order, and inappropriate omission or addition of subjects, often stem from negative transfer from the learners’ native languages and parametric differences between Persian and their first languages. The findings indicate that learners experience different challenges in acquiring this linguistic category depending on the grammatical features of their native languages. The results of this study can contribute to improving methods for teaching Persian grammar to non-native speakers and offer suggestions for designing effective instructional strategies. These suggestions include a greater emphasis on explicit instruction of subject-verb agreement and the use of exercises based on comparisons between Persian and the learners’ first languages.

Keywords

• subject-verb agreement
• Universal Grammar
• non-native Persian learners
• second language acquisition

Main Subjects

• Examining the challenges and problems of international Persian language education