Second language attrition

Definition

Second language attrition refers to the gradual loss of proficiency in a non-native language over time, especially when it is not actively used or practiced. This phenomenon can occur due to various factors such as lack of exposure, reduced motivation, or shifting focus towards a native language. Understanding second language attrition is crucial for recognizing how language skills can diminish and the implications it has on communication and cognitive processes.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Second language attrition can happen even among individuals who were once fluent in a language if they stop using it regularly.
2. The extent and speed of attrition can vary significantly depending on factors such as age, motivation, and the linguistic distance between the second language and the first language.
3. Research indicates that certain aspects of a second language, such as vocabulary, may deteriorate more quickly than grammatical structures.
4. Social factors, such as moving to a different country or changing social circles, can greatly influence the likelihood of experiencing second language attrition.
5. Effective strategies for combating second language attrition include regular practice, engaging with native speakers, and immersing oneself in environments where the language is used.

Review Questions

• How do personal motivation and social environment influence second language attrition?
  • Personal motivation plays a significant role in second language attrition, as individuals who are motivated to maintain their language skills are more likely to engage in activities that reinforce their proficiency. Additionally, a supportive social environment that encourages the use of the second language can help mitigate attrition. When individuals lack motivation or find themselves in environments where their second language is not used or valued, they are at a higher risk for losing their proficiency.
• Discuss how age affects the rate and extent of second language attrition compared to younger learners.
  • Age significantly impacts the rate and extent of second language attrition. Older learners often have more entrenched first-language patterns that can interfere with maintaining a second language. In contrast, younger learners may have more neuroplasticity, allowing them to adapt more easily and retain their second language skills. However, if older learners do not continue practicing their second language regularly, they may experience faster declines in fluency compared to younger individuals who might still be immersed in language learning contexts.
• Evaluate the long-term cognitive effects of second language attrition on bilingual individuals and how these effects compare to those who maintain their bilingualism.
  • Long-term cognitive effects of second language attrition can include decreased executive functioning skills, which are often enhanced through bilingualism. Bilingual individuals who actively maintain both languages tend to perform better on tasks requiring cognitive flexibility and problem-solving due to continuous mental exercise from switching languages. In contrast, those experiencing attrition may find that their cognitive advantages diminish over time, leading to difficulties in tasks that require dual-language processing. This difference underscores the importance of continued engagement with both languages for cognitive health.

Related terms

language maintenance: The efforts made by individuals or communities to continue using a language, often in the face of pressures to assimilate into a dominant culture.

bilingualism: The ability to speak and understand two languages fluently, which can influence how second language attrition manifests in speakers.

language shift: The process whereby a community or individual shifts from using one language to another, often leading to the decline of the first language.