Can language attrition be reversed: Evidence from speech perception and production

Area of Science:

• Linguistics
• Psycholinguistics
• Cognitive Science

Background:

• Language attrition is the decline of a native language (L1) due to exposure to a second language (L2).
• Phonetic and phonological domains are key areas where L1 changes manifest.
• Understanding L1 attrition's impact on speech perception and production is crucial for bilingualism research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate L1 attrition in speech production and perception among Polish-English bilinguals.
• To determine if L1 attrition is reversible upon return to an L1-speaking environment.
• To compare the effects of L2 immersion on speech production versus perception.

Main Methods:

• Comparative study of two groups of late Polish-English bilinguals: one L1-immersed, one L2-immersed (UK migrants).
• Analysis of L1 /p/ and /b/ sound production in both groups.
• Electrophysiological (EEG) and behavioral tasks to assess L1 sound perception.
• Retesting UK migrants after short-term re-immersion in an L1 environment.

Main Results:

• Long-term L2 immersion altered L1 sound production in UK migrants compared to the Poland-based group.
• Re-immersion in the L1 environment led to more native-like L1 sound production for the UK group.
• L1 sound perception differences were observed in the UK group and did not reverse after L1 re-immersion.

Conclusions:

• L1 attrition affects both speech production and perception.
• Speech production attrition is more reversible than speech perception attrition.
• Language environment significantly influences native language phonetic and phonological systems.