Abstract: This study is aimed to discuss the relationship between negative language transfer and Chinese non-English majors’ English writing. Based on language transfer and error analysis the author analyses errors occurring in 90 writing samples collected from the first-year non-English majors in Nanjing Xiaozhuang University. The study mainly shows the influence of mother language transfer and varied forms of error in the aspects of substance，lexis，syntax and discourse. Besides, there are some suggestions are given with the hope to improve English writing and teaching in college.

Key words: non-English majors; English writing; native language transfer  

CONTENTS 

摘要

Abstract

1. Literature Review.1

1.1 Theoretical Background

1.1 Language Transfer  

1.2 Error Analysis

1.2 Research Background

2. Methodology4

2.1 Research Questions 

2.2 Subjects

2.3 Instruments 

2.4 Data Collection and Data Analysis

3. Results and Discussion.6

3.1 Errors in Substance

3.1.1 Capitalization

3.1.2 Punctuation

3.2 Errors in Lexis

3.2.1 Plural Form of Nouns

3.2.2 Word Choice

  3.3 Errors in Syntax

3.3.1 Tense

3.3.2 Subject-verb Agreement

3.3.3 Voice

  3.4 Errors in Discourse

3.4.1 Errors in Conjunction

3.4.2 Incorrect Reference

4. Conclusion10

Bibliography.13

Acknowledgements14