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Aims and objectives:This study investigates the effects of language loss on bilingual autobiographical memory. More specifically, the study focuses on whether severe language loss would lead to any linguistic changes and/or interfere with how memories are recalled and shared.Methodology:Autobiographical memories were elicited with the help of a cued-recall technique and memory questionnaire from two groups of immigrants?attriters (who experienced significant language loss) and bilinguals (who retained their first language proficiency).Data and analysis:The data set consisted of pre-immigration memories that were originally encoded in the first language, Russian. The frequency of recall (i.e., sharing memories with others as well as reminiscing) and linguistic components (i.e., words) of memories elicited from the attriters and bilinguals were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively.Findings and conclusion:Overall, attriters were able to recall memories that were originally encoded in the forgotten language. They also reported reminiscing about their pre-immigration memories and sharing their memories with others. However, attriters revealed that the pre-immigration memories came to them with words in the second language, English, which was not the case with bilinguals. Attriters also reframed memories for several Russian culture-specific items and events. This finding is indicative of memory re-encoding?a phenomenon when memories are updated, stored, and subsequently retrieved with added information. While this finding points to the bilingual mind?s ability to adapt to language loss, it may also suggest linguistic and cultural assimilation under the influence of the new language and culture.Originality:This is the first investigation of autobiographical memory in bilinguals with severe language loss that highlights the malleability and adaptability of the bilingual mind as well as the importance of language maintenance.
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This study examined whether maintaining the first language (L1) or experiencing dominant language shift affects second-language (L2) speaking proficiency. Twenty-four Russian-English bilinguals were divided into a bilingual maintenance group and a dominant language shift group based on self-reported L1 proficiency. To avoid monolingual bias, all comparisons were made between bilingual speakers. Participants produced spontaneous narrative speech using picture books, and their L2 output was analyzed for fluency, lexical diversity, and syntactic complexity. Across all measures, no statistically significant differences emerged between the groups. Individuals who maintained their L1 performed similarly to those who had lost their L1, indicating that continued engagement with the L1 does not impede L2 oral development. Maintaining the L1 did not yield any measurable benefits, as these participants did not perform better than those in the dominant language shift group. These findings contribute to a more nuanced, domain- and usage-specific understanding of the linguistic interdependence hypothesis and the common underlying proficiency model, indicating that although L1 maintenance does not impede L2 performance, L1 loss may not compromise the development of everyday L2 speech.
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- Journal Article (5)
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- English (2)