Proficiency of Twelfth Grade Students in the Use of Affixation

Abstract

Affixation, the main part of morphology is such an organ that, in the absence of which a language learner fails to get good command of language. Therefore, one should be equipped with adequate knowledge of morphology. Keeping this view in mind, I determined to investigate the proficiency of +2 level students in English affixation. For this, I collected eighty root words randomly from the course book of grade 12, i.e. Meaning into Words and Heritage of Words. I classified those words into prefixes and suffixes and prepared eight different sets of questions, including 36 word forms with prefixes and 44 word forms with suffixes. The full marks of whole test were 80 carrying 1 mark for each question. The proficiency of students was measured using various linguistic variables such as suffix, prefix and question types. The major finding of this research is that the students' proficiency in English affixation was found satisfactory. The students' performance in suffixes was found less then in prefixes. For this, the collected data were analyzed and interpreted using descriptive approach and simple statistical tools as percentage, rank and level.

This thesis consists of four chapters altogether. Chapter one is an introductory chapter which deals with the background information for the study of the topic. It states necessary rhetorical background, justifies the significance of the study, presents objectives, limitations of the study and definitions of key terms. Similarly, chapter two states the methodology followed in the study, it deals with sources of data, population and sampling procedure, process of data collection and limitations of the study. Chapter three entails analysis and interpretation of the data. It deals with analysis and interpretation of collected data using descriptive approach and simple statistical tools; percentage and rank. The analysis has been done under different headings. Finally, chapter our deals with the findings and recommendation made in light of analysis and interpretation. It shows that the students are more proficient in using prefixes than suffixes. The students were found better in those word forms which were presented in linguistic situation. It also includes recommendations from the perspective of pedagogical significance.