GRAMMATICAL ERRORS IN WRITING MADE BY STUDENTS OF UIN ALAUDDIN MAKASSAR: A COMPARISON BETWEEN INDONESIAN STUDENTS AND INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Abstract This research aimed to analyze the error analysis by using written production test. This technique used in production writing test which is focused on analysis on grammatical items. The objectives of the research are (i) to find out the types of error made by Indonesian students and International students of UIN Alauddin Makassar in writing descriptive text.; (ii) to find out the causing factors of error made by Indonesian students and International students of UIN Alauddin Makassar in writing descriptive text; (iii) to find out the differences and similarities made by Indonesian students and International students of UIN Alauddin Makassar in writing descriptive text. The research employed descriptive research design. The subject consisted of 15 students (5 students each country) which was taken through accidental sampling or convenience sampling technique. The research data were collected through writing text are which was analyzed by using error analysis technique, namely; identification, classification, and statement of error frequency and percentage. The result of this research shows that (i) the types of error made by Indonesian students and International students in writing descriptive text divided into two main divisions, they are error dealing with the grammatical area such as error are errors in the production of verb, errors in the distribution of verb group, errors in the use of preposition, article, errors in the use of question, and miscellaneous errors. In addition to that there are several subtypes of other errors that consist of other error verb, confusion of part of speech, singular and plural morpheme, pronoun, gerund, Indonesian language, adjective phrase, lexical word, omission/addition of subject, diction, other preposition error. (ii) the causing factors of errors regarding the students’ composition are overgeneralization, ignorance of rule restriction, incomplete application of rules, and false concept hypothesized. In addition, there is interference as a causing factor and whereas other causes consist of lack of vocabulary and memory limitation. The differences made by Indonesian students and International students of UIN Alauddin Makassar in writing descriptive text based on the result of error analysis and the causing factor are the most dominant errors made by Indonesian students are errors in the use of preposition that cause by false concept hypothesized. The most dominant errors made by International students are; 1) Thai students made dominant errors in the use of article that cause by interference. and dominant errors made by Sudan students are miscellaneous errors that cause by false concept hypothesized. Based on the result of this research, the researcher concludes that the similarities between Indonesian students and International students are they still have a weakness to use correct grammar in the context of their essay. Keywords: Grammatical errors, error analysis