LLS Colloquium: Language attrition: myth, affectation or fact?

On Wednesday 9th February 2022, Monika Schmid (University of York) will be presenting on language attrition, and whether this is a myth, an affectation or a fact.

Language attrition: myth, affectation or fact?

People who use more than one language in their daily lives, in particular migrants who live and work in a foreign-language context, usually have no problem accepting the fact that they will always stand out as non-native speakers. Phenomena such as a foreign accent, occasional errors of grammar, or lack of vocabulary knowledge are generally recognised as a natural part of the experience and development of most second language users. However, when similar phenomena occur in a speaker’s native language, this often leads to consternation for both the speaker herself and others she interacts with, who often assume that language attrition is merely an affectation. 

My presentation will use the example of a single multilingual speaker, tracing the development of her language skills from infancy to late middle age in order to illustrate the various processes of language development, loss and recovery that can affect multilingual skills and knowledge. I will draw on theories of forgetting, of competition/inhibition and of maturational constraints in order to explain my observations. 

The talk will take place at 4pm on Zoom, and there will be an opportunity to ask questions at the end - you can join using this link. 

Event poster: LLS Colloquium: Language attrition: myth, affectation or fact?