Abstract:

One of the most difficulties Algerian learners of English encounter is the ignorance of the cross-linguistic differences between the first language (L1) and English. Students, whose first language is Arabic and majored in English do not necessarily excel at translation or interpretation in their written and oral productions; that is to say, being proficient in a foreign language does not guarantee the ability to translate into the native language. Accurately, it is widely maintained that what precedes any act of translation/interpretation is contrastive analysis (CA) and Error Analysis, i.e. it is believed that contrasting and comparing languages require greater cognitive depth, force attention, promote noticing; raise the learners’ awareness of the L1-L2 differences and provide practice in the areas of these differences. What aggravates the situation is that French as a second language in Algeria may interfere as an additional language which can boost or hinder the translation process. In this paper, we will spotlight the importance of CA and Error analysis in translation, and then illustrating how language interference can hinder the translation process. Finally, some recommendations and suggestions about the betterment of learning and translation process will conclude this paper. 

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