Spelling Errors in MA Theses by Non-Native English Speakers in Kurdistan Region of Iraq: A Corpus-Based Study

Abstract

It is usual for the second language learners to make spelling errors in writing, as many pointed out this issue worldwide. On the other hand, advanced speakers of a second language are supposed to make few or no errors of this type in second language writing productions, especially, in academic writings such as master theses. This is not always true, among fluent speakers, as the committing of linguistic errors surpasses this level of proficiency and continues to happen in academic productions. This paper addresses the issue that academic English speakers in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq still face challenges to produce error-free academic written works, especially spelling errors. The study covers MA theses from major universities in Kurdistan Region written on English linguistics. The frequency of the errors is taken into account, and then the results are qualitatively analysed. The results indicate that MA students make spelling errors in their final version of the MA thesis. Spellings errors usually result from lack of technical skills and typing proficiency, but the case is that the errors are happening after certain revisions