• Javad Kia Heirati

  Author

• Hamideh Kia Heirati

  Author

This study provides an overview of learners’ language in terms of systematicity. It
investigates the role of a form (ing) in the light of its functions (ongoing action, after the
proposition, adjective and noun phrase) to uncover the systematic nature of language learning.
In order to achieve the desirable results, the form-function analysis was done, in which the data
were collected cross-sectionally whereby the participants were divided into four groups based on
their language proficiency (pre-intermediate, intermediate, upper-intermediate, and advanced
levels). The frequency of the form (ing) with which different functions were realized, was counted
to see whether learner’s language can be considered as systematic or unsystematic. The results
revealed that the learner’s use of the form (ing) in the light of its functions seemed to be
systematic rather than unsystematic. Performing form-function analysis demonstrated the role of
variability in language learning by proving the fact that systematic distribution of forms in
accordance with functions seems to be an important factor in learners’ language system.

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