The important of vocabulary in second language writing is widely accepted, but there has been relatively little research into several lexical errors learners produce when writing in their second language. Empirical evidence suggests that lexical errors are the most frequently occurring

Somehow, mistakes in lexical selection may be less generously tolerated outside classrooms than mistakes in syntax’. This is probably because lexical selection consists mainly of content words, which convey the intended message. Inappropriate lexical choices (lexical errors) will lead to misunderstanding of the message directly, or at least to an increase in the burden of interpreting the text.

Linguistic translation problems arise from differences in the vocabulary, syntax features between the source language and the target language, mainly manifesting in the following ways:

Lexical mistakes are frequently made in C-E translation of APCP, even of those reputed companies in the field. Many companies don’t highlight this point, thus causing spelling mistakes, anomalous or wrong usage of words and phrases, and word redundancy.

Example 1

生产流程的顺畅是天元效率的最大保障,我们以效益为中心,以技改为先导,注重技改投入,…(浙江天元机电有限公司)

English version:

Smooth of production process flow is the quarantee of efficiency. We are centered in benefit and guided by Technic development, focusing on Technic investment. (Zhejiang Tianyuan Mechanical & Electrical Co., Ltd)

Spelling mistake and inappropriate diction are evident that “quarantee” should be “guarantee” and “technic investment” ought to be “investment in technical upgrading” for “技改投入”. The reason consists in that “technic” means “technique” only when it is used as a noun.

Lexical mistakes includes wrong words and inappropriate words. According to the above example, “Quarantee” is the wrong words, “investment in technical upgrading”

For using the wrong words, it is obvious to be noticed. Once the translator masters vocabulary very well, such mistakes will be overcomed. Because the meaning of the sentence will be totally different when using the wrong words, readers are very easy to find out the mistake also.

In order to avoid mistakes of inappropriate words, we need to get better known about vocabulary of the source language and the target language. Not only understand the meaning of the words but also learn the concrete usage in different context.

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