The Latent Speaker

Attaining Adult Fluency in an Endangered Language

Dados Bibliográficos

ID20506331
AutoresCharlotte Basham (University of Alaska Fairbanks, autor correspondente), Ann K Fathman (Notre Dame de Namur University)
Ano2008
Volume11
Fascículo5
Páginas577-597
Data de publicação2008-09-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessNão
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoInternational Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 1367-0050 • E-ISSN: 1747-7522
EditoraInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/13670050802149192
OpenAlexW2056594920
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas11
Referências citadas36

This paper focuses on how latent knowledge of an ancestral or heritage language affects subsequent acquisition by adults. The ‘latent speaker’ is defined as an individual raised in an environment where the ancestral language was spoken but who did not become a speaker of that language. The study examines how attitudes, latent knowledge and learning settings affect the subsequent acquisition process of latent speakers of Alaskan Athabascan languages. The first phase of the study focuses on two successful adult learners and their progress towards developing fluency. The second phase includes an analysis of the backgrounds, attitudes and language proficiency of 15 beginning adult heritage language learners. The results suggest that latent speakers have a number of characteristics distinguishing them from other language learners which may both aid and inhibit language learning. Their receptive skills surpass productive skills, they remember common expressions and emotion-laden vocabulary and their productive phonology is advanced. However, these learners tend to have a low estimate of their language abilities and report being hesitant to speak. These results provide information on factors affecting heritage language acquisition and have implications for adult language programmes

Cognitive psychology · Comprehension approach · First language · Fluency · Heritage language · Language acquisition · Language education · Linguistics · Mathematics education · Pedagogy · Phonology · Second-language acquisition · Second-language attrition · Vocabulary · Communication · Computer Science · EFL/ESL Teaching and Learning · Multilingual Education and Policy · Psychology · Second Language Learning and Teaching