Dynamics of first language attrition across the lifespan

Abstract

This special issue explores the relevance of Dynamic Systems Theory (henceforth DST) to research in first language attrition (henceforth L1 attrition). While research in L1 attrition has traditionally drawn on paradigms in other areas of linguistic enquiry, e.g. approaches current in L2 acquisition studies, important developments across a range of disciplines have paved the way for a fundamentally different conceptualisation of language development. In this special issue, DST guides our enquiry into L1 attrition, which we view as one specific dynamic process of change in language development.DST was first linked to L1 attrition by Herdina and Jessner (2002), and then further developed by de Bot, who suggested that DST provides 'a fresh and promising perspective on language attrition as a normal part of language development and not as a lamentable loss of what once was' (2004, p. 233). De Bot argued that a DST-based model of language development should be applicable to language attrition and that the theoretical underpinning of L1 attrition research would be strengthened by adopting this perspective (see also Ecke, 2004). However, de Bot also pointed to methodological challenges implicit in applying a DST perspective to L1 attrition. Here, one of the most salient challenges is actually testing DST, a feat yet to be accomplished. Nevertheless, eight years on, the purpose of this special issue is to present for the first time empirical research which has adopted the DST framework to study L1 attrition across the lifespan.In this introduction, two propositions related to the relevance of DST in L1 attrition research are discussed.

Native speech plasticity in the German-English late bilingual Stefanie Graf: A longitudinal study over four decades

“…Although most of the recordings were made in Germany, and the year of the interviews was known, it was not known, for example, at what point the interview was made during her stay in Germany. Such short-term effects of ambient language exposure may have counter-acted or even enhanced any long-term effects, which might have been evidenced had SG returned less frequently to Germany (see de Bot et al, 2007;de Bot & Schrauf, 2010;de Leeuw, Opitz, et al, 2013 in relation to the emphasis on short and long term changes in native speech with regard to Dynamic Systems Theory, as well as Paradis, 2004Paradis, , 2007 in relation to language exposure influencing language production with regard to the Activation Threshold Hypothesis). However, it is likewise possible that the frequency of SG's visits may have made L2 effects on the L1 more likely as it has also been found that interaction may be more prevalent where dual activation occurs commonly (Mora, Keidel, & Flege, 2015), although it is not known how strictly German and English were separated during SG's visits to Germany.…”

L2 Motivation and Multilingual Identities

“…In both fields emergence is of central importance. For example, changing degrees of observed motivational intensity (e.g., Yashima & Arano, ) and the growth and attrition of linguistic phenomena (e.g., de Leeuw, Opitz, & Lubinska, ; Opitz, ) are both understood as the emergence of novel behaviors. Similarly, in the “complexity thought modeling” (Larsen–Freeman & Cameron, , p. 41) in the current article, emergence is the base concept upon which propositions are constructed.…”

Age Effects in First Language Attrition: Speech Perception by Korean‐English Bilinguals

“…One body of research that bears on the study of L1 perceptual attrition in early bilinguals is the literature on L2 effects in late bilinguals, which shows that L2-influenced modifications to the phonetics and/or phonology of the L1 may occur even in learners who acquire a L2 after the age of 18 (de Leeuw, 2014;de Leeuw, Opitz, & Lubińska, 2013). For example, L1 English speakers in their 20s were found to modify several aspects of their L1 production during the first weeks of immersive L2 Korean learning (Chang, 2012(Chang, , 2013b, and similar effects of L2 immersion on the acoustic properties, perceived accent, and/or phonological rule implementation of L1 production have been reported in various late-bilingual populations: L1 English-L2 Portuguese (Major, 1992), L1 Russian-L2 English (Dmitrieva, Jongman, & Sereno, 2010), L1 German-L2 English and L1 German-L2 Dutch (de Leeuw, Mennen, & Scobbie, 2012de Leeuw, Schmid, & Mennen, 2010;Hopp & Schmid, 2013;Schmid & Hopp, 2014), and L1 Dutch-L2 English (Mayr, Price, & Mennen, 2012).…”