Error and Mistake

An error is an instance of language that is unintentionally deviant and not self

corrigible by its author. A mistake is either intentionally or unintentionally deviant
and self corrigible. Slips or lapses of the tongue, pen, or keyboard are easily detected
and can be self corrected by their author unaided.
Basically a L makes an error when s/he doesn't know the utterance is deviant, for
example because s/he has learned from an incorrect model, such as the tendency of
hinese students and their teachers to pronounce words such as 'energy', 'technology'
as /energe/ and /teknowledge/.
!rrors cannot be corrected until further relevant input has been provided and
converted by the L. "n other words, errors re#uire further relevant learning to take
place before they can be self corrected.
$he two words mean the same thing but there are times when only one will do. %or
example in this sentence only mistake would be appropriate& '"t was a mistake to ask
'elen to come on the trip'. Alternatively '$his was a serious error of (udgement.'
)istake cannot be used in this sentence. *ometimes it's not so obvious. '" looked at his
maths homework and there were number of errors in is calculations.' "n this sentence
error is better. '+ou have made a number of mistakes in your !nglish essay'. 'ere
mistake is more appropriate.
Andi Sudiharto
1341110001.P