Language/Multiple-languages/Vocabulary/Second-Language-Loss-or-Attrition

Second Language Loss or Attrition

Hi polyglots!🤩

Second language loss is a phenomenon that occurs when a person who has learned more than one language loses the ability to speak, read, or write in one of those languages.

The most common reason for second language loss is the lack of use. If a person does not use their second language often enough, they will gradually lose it. This is why most language certification tests have a validity period.

This can happen because people might think they are too old to learn another language or be embarrassed to speak in public. Learning a second language can be difficult because the learner has to learn new grammar rules and vocabulary words.

In addition, learners have to learn how to use the new words in different contexts and situations.

What Causes Second Language Loss?

There are many reasons why people learn a second language, including economic reasons, social reasons, and educational reasons.

1) Culture Shock: Culture shock is a mental state that occurs when people from one culture are suddenly exposed to the customs of another culture. When this happens, people may feel a sense of alienation and confusion, leading to a reduced ability to learn a second language.

2) Social Isolation: Social isolation is the lack of meaningful interaction with others in one's native language. This can happen when someone moves to an area where there are few speakers of their native language or when they don't have many opportunities for social interaction in their mother tongue.

3) Linguistic Confusion: Linguistic confusion is the inability to distinguish between two languages due to their phonological similarities. It is the replacement of one language with another. The constantly switching back and forth between languages can be taxing on their brains. This constant switching can lead to confusion and forgetting words in one of the languages.

Factors Affecting Language Loss

There are various reasons some people lose languages slower than others. Some include:

• Method of instruction or acquisition
• Length of exposure
• Proficiency
• Characteristics of the attrition period
• Length of time before relearning
• Learner characteristics
• Attitude towards the language and culture
• Motivation for acquiring the language
• Age of learner

1. Level of competence: Higher competence reduces attrition. Learners on higher levels are less likely to lose a lot. The higher the learner's competence level, the lower the attrition. Therefore, it is essential to attain fluency in the languages one desires. In cases of lack of practice, it would be easier to retain more of the language for future relearning.
2. Age: Younger people usually retain content better than older people. Nonetheless, attrition has been noticed in children. The lower cognitive development in children usually influences attrition in children in children. Usually, children will not learn to write and read proficiently in the said language, therefore, limiting the level of proficiency that could have helped them retain the language.
3. Motivation, orientation, and attitude: The wrong attitude towards anything is detrimental. In learning languages, one's attitude must be a positive 'can do' attitude. It should not be approached as a grudging obligation to learn to retain the language. A language learner's primary motivation should also not pass a test, secure a job, or obtain a visa. This makes it easier to forget the language after attaining that goal or passing that stage without attaining the goal.

Are You Losing Your Second Language?

It is possible to lose your second language if you don't use it often. The loss of a second language is a genuine concern for many people. It can happen for many reasons, but it can be challenging to recognize the signs. Do you find yourself forgetting words in your second language? Do you feel like you are not improving in your second language anymore? These are signs that you might be losing your second language. Signs that you might be losing your second language are forgetting words, not having a meaningful conversation, and not reading as quickly as before.

• The first sign that you are losing your second language is that you forget vocabulary words. You may find yourself using synonyms or other words to describe things because you have forgotten the word for it. This is especially true if you are not using your second language regularly.
• Another sign of losing your second language is when you start mixing up grammar rules in your native tongue with those in your second language. For example, if you use an adverb in the wrong tense or use an adjective as an adverb or vice versa, then that's another sign that you are losing your second language.

Losing a second language is something that happens to many people, but it can be prevented! The more you use your second language, the more likely you will retain it. It is also important to maintain a regular routine so that it doesn't get lost. Here are some ways to prevent the loss of a second language:

• Keep practicing the second language with others and yourself.
• Keep reading texts, newspapers, magazines, or comics or watching TV shows in this language.
• Make sure to keep learning new words and phrases so that they don't get lost.
• Listening to music in your second language

Sources

• https://www.researchgate.net/publication/304041358_Second_Language_Attrition
• https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnhum.2019.00397/full
• https://www.oxfordhandbooks.com/view/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780198793595.001.0001/oxfordhb-9780198793595-e-8
• http://www.ijsrp.org/research-paper-0821/ijsrp-p11615.pdf

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