What is the term for the systematic study of a pair of languages to identify their structural differences and similarities?

• A. Contextual Clues
• B. Context of Use
• C. Contrastive Analysis
• D. Discourse Competence

Answer: (C)

Contrastive Analysis is the systematic study of two languages to identify their structural differences and similarities. This approach helps us predict areas where learners might transfer habits from their native language into the target language, leading to typical errors, and guides the design of instruction and materials by focusing on contrasts in phonology, grammar, vocabulary, and syntax. By mapping where languages align or diverge, teachers can tailor activities to build on similarities and explicitly teach the differences that commonly cause difficulty.

Contextual clues focus on deriving meaning from surrounding text or situation, not on comparing language systems. Context of use deals with how language is shaped by social context and function, again not about cross-language structure. Discourse competence is about handling extended spoken or written language coherently and appropriately, which is a language-use skill rather than a method for comparing linguistic systems.