Lexical and morphosyntactic aspects of first language attrition in bilinguals - Einzelansicht

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Several researchers have suggested that first language (L1) speakers inevitably develop different L1 representations as they become second language (L2) users. The effects of L2 on the L1 grammar (generally referred to as L1 attrition/change) have been studied for different language combinations for almost six decades. L1 attrition is never perceived as a total loss of L1 knowledge but rather as rearrangement or restructuring of the L1 grammar due to L2 contact. Individuals who move to an L2 country and begin to use the L2 extensively (with little or no contact with the L1) can potentially demonstrate language change in various domains of grammar. This is referred to as attrition of L1 in an L2 environment. The attrition of the native language of immigrants is analyzed in this category. In this context, there has been much interest in research on L2-induced inter- and intra-generational L1 attrition/restructuring in different domains of grammar, particularly vocabulary and morphosyntax. Inter-generational change observed in the native language of second or third generation immigrants is generally considered to be a case of incomplete L1 acquisition rather than L1 attrition because these individuals (also called heritage speakers) may have failed to acquire linguistic properties of their L1 completely in their childhood due to early L2 exposure in an L2 country at the expense of L1 exposure. Intra-generational change, on the other hand, is a gradual decrease in L1 proficiency that had previously been acquired completely by first generation immigrants who move to an L2 country at an adult age and begin to use the L2 extensively while keeping little or no contact with their L1. L1 attrition can manifest itself at different levels of language competence and performance such as lack of fluency and inability or difficulty in retrieving items from the lexicon, deviation from native pronunciation, and also divergence from native morphosyntax. The focus of this seminar will be on the attrition of lexical items and morphosyntactic properties, including inflectional morphology. At the end of this seminar, students will have knowledge of current issues in research on L1 attrition/change in the domain of vocabulary and morphosyntax and they will be able to critically evaluate currently available L1 attrition work.