Language attrition

Definition

Language attrition refers to the gradual loss of proficiency in a language due to lack of use or exposure, often experienced by bilingual individuals or communities. This phenomenon can occur in various contexts, including when a dominant language overshadows a minority language, leading to reduced fluency and eventual language decline. The dynamics of language attrition can reveal important insights into the processes that contribute to language shift and death, adaptation within immigrant communities, and the complexities of transnational bilingualism and return migration.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Language attrition can occur rapidly when individuals move to an environment where their first language is not spoken, leading to decreased practice and exposure.
2. Factors such as age, duration of absence from the original language environment, and motivation significantly influence the rate of language attrition.
3. In immigrant communities, children may experience faster language attrition as they adapt to their new surroundings and integrate into the dominant culture's language.
4. Language attrition is often reversible; with re-exposure to the language, individuals may regain some lost proficiency.
5. Language policies and community support can play crucial roles in mitigating language attrition by promoting bilingual education and cultural heritage.

Review Questions

• How does language attrition influence the processes of language shift in bilingual communities?
  • Language attrition is a critical factor in the process of language shift as it can lead to diminishing proficiency in a minority language when speakers increasingly use a dominant language. This gradual loss of ability may cause younger generations to prioritize the dominant language for social and economic opportunities, furthering the cycle of attrition. As more individuals abandon their native language for the dominant one, this shift creates a community where the minority language risks becoming endangered or extinct.
• Discuss how immigrant communities can experience language attrition and the potential implications for cultural identity.
  • Immigrant communities often face significant challenges related to language attrition as they adapt to their new environments. Children in these communities may quickly adopt the dominant language for social integration, leading to diminished use of their heritage language at home. This attrition can impact cultural identity as younger generations may struggle to connect with their ancestral roots, traditions, and familial communication due to their reduced proficiency in their heritage language.
• Evaluate the role of return migration in addressing or exacerbating language attrition among transnational bilingual individuals.
  • Return migration can have mixed effects on language attrition among transnational bilingual individuals. For some, returning to their country of origin can provide renewed exposure and opportunities to use their native language, helping them recover lost proficiency. Conversely, if these individuals have assimilated significantly into a new culture during their time abroad, they may find it challenging to reintegrate linguistically, exacerbating their attrition. Therefore, understanding return migration requires evaluating both personal experiences and broader socio-linguistic contexts that influence language use.

Related terms

language shift: The process by which a community adopts a new language, leading to the gradual decline and potential extinction of the original language.

bilingualism: The ability to speak and understand two languages fluently, often influenced by social, cultural, and educational factors.

cultural assimilation: The process by which individuals or groups from one culture adopt the customs and norms of another culture, which can impact language use and maintenance.