Research Findings on Early First Language Attrition

Implications for the Discussion on Critical Periods in Language Acquisition

Bibliographic Data

ID7900619
AuthorsNorbert Francis (0000-0002-7941-0883, Northern Arizona University, corresponding author)
Year2005
Volume55
Issue3
Pages491-531
Publication date2005-09-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueLanguage Learning (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0023-8333 • E-ISSN: 1467-9922
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/j.0023-8333.2005.00313.x
OpenAlexW2002150749
LanguageEN
Citations received12
References cited55

Childhood bilingualism may develop toward a steady state of balanced competence in 2 languages or toward an imbalanced competence in which one of the child's languages begins to undergo attrition or early stabilization. In child second language learning an analogous distinction is often drawn between additive and subtractive bilingualism. This review of the research focuses on the latter, the developmental shift toward 1 primary/dominant language. The studies of first language attrition reviewed in this article also offer a new way of looking at related questions in the field of language learning: critical period effects in first and second language, access to Universal Grammar in second language learning, and the componential nature of language ability

Attrition · Comprehension approach · Developmental linguistics · Developmental psychology · First language · Grammar · Language acquisition · Language education · Language transfer · Linguistic competence · Linguistics · Mathematics education · Neuroscience of multilingualism · Second-language acquisition · Second-language attrition · Child and Animal Learning Development · Language Development and Disorders · Psychology · Reading and Literacy Development

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