Everything about Language attrition
Process of losing a language
Language attrition is the process of decreasing proficiency in or losing a language. For first or native language attrition, this process is generally caused by both isolation from speakers of the first language ("L1") and the acquisition and use of a second language ("L2"), which interferes with the correct production and comprehension of the first. Such interference from a second language is likely experienced to some extent by all bilinguals, but is most evident among speakers for whom a language other than their first has started to play an important, if not dominant, role in everyday life; these speakers are more likely to experience language attrition. It is common among immigrants that travel to countries where languages foreign to them are used. Second language attrition can occur from poor learning, practice, and retention of the language after time has passed from learning. This often occurs with bilingual speakers who do not frequently engage with their L2. Wikipedia →
🧭 Start here: a 6-step reading path
- Read the overview: Language attritionA 5-minute orientation
- Skim a recent paper: What returnee bilinguals may teach us about language attrition, language stabilization, and individual variationInfluential work since 2022
- Pick up a classic book: Encyclopedia of the world's endangered languagesThe most-reprinted book on the subject
- Read the landmark paper: Maturational Constraints and First Language AttritionCited 113 times
- Go sideways: Mike Sharwood SmithA closely related topic
- Go sideways: Second-language attritionA closely related topic
📖 Definitions
No dictionary entry for this exact phrase.
🗂️ The subject at a glance
🏆 Landmark papers (most cited)
Maturational Constraints and First Language Attrition
VARIABLES IN SECOND LANGUAGE ATTRITION
First language attrition
Is Second Language Attrition the Reversal of Second Language Acquisition?
Language attrition: the fate of the start
Foreign language attrition
First language attrition: The methodology revised
First language attrition
🆕 Influential since 2022
What returnee bilinguals may teach us about language attrition, language stabilization, and individual variation
Guest editorial: Language attrition – a comprehensive introduction
A three-state language competition model including language learning and attrition
Exploring professional quality of life in the context of language teacher attrition
Language Attrition and Lived Experiences of Attrition among Greek Speakers in London
📚 Books worth reading
Encyclopedia of the world's endangered languagesChristopher Moseley · 2007
Face[t]s of first language lossSandra G. Kouritzin · 1999
Language attritionBarbara Köpke, Monika S. Schmid · 2007- 📕Language Loss of the IndigenousG. N. Devy, Geoffrey V. Davis · 2016
Attitudes to Endangered LanguagesJulia Sallabank · 2013
Endangered languagesLenore A. Grenoble, Lindsay J. Whaley · 1998
EcholaliasDaniel Heller-Roazen · 2004
Memory SpeaksJulie Sedivy · 2021
Ranked by number of editions on Open Library, a rough measure of how lasting a book is.
🔗 Related topics
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