Analysis: First language loss is where people may lose aspects of their native language when they learn a second one
You have probably heard all the positives about learning a second language such as strengthening your professional opportunities and deepening your cultural knowledge and experience. You may have heard that bilingualism even delays the onset of dementia and Alzheimer's. So, what’s the catch? Well, learning a new language might actually cause you to lose parts of your first language.
What does first language loss mean?
It comes in different shapes, but it begins with learning a second language. Many of us, even monolingual speakers, know that tip-of-the-tongue sensation, when we cannot quite think of a word. Sometimes this is the shape language loss takes. That frustrating feeling of not being able to remember certain words or phrases. Language loss here is at its most frustrating, as it impacts our communication.
Other times, language loss can go unnoticed, through structural changes or substituting one word for another. In this case, the new language environment influences your first language. For example, English has the progressive present tense "the cat is meowing," while German only has the simple present "the cat meows."
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After exposure to such structural differences, it might reshape the structure of our native language, making the English speaker naturally say, "the cat meows" or "the dog eats" instead of "is sleeping" or "is eating." For some, the pronunciation of their native language can change after they have lived abroad for an extended period. This can either be through a change of accent or a change of intonation.
What does it look like?
First language loss takes different shapes and can be caused by many distinct factors. It usually occurs when a person moves into a new language environment. Our fluency levels change as we do. It is normal for our second and third languages to get stronger and weaker, just like our muscles do if we have not used them. But our first language is more than just a part of how we communicate. We think in this language, it is a fundamental part of our identity.
Although these might seem like trivial differences of little consequence, these are only a small number of examples. Depending on the language context and personal reasons for immigration, speakers can lose their first language completely. Some speakers find themselves in a state of homelessness, not feeling comfortable in their first language or their new language.
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This does not happen in all cases; some migrants have a stronger connection with their home language due to geographical proximity or connections in their new environment. There are cases where people want to lose their first language, due to trauma or considering it an unnecessary in their new home. Some childhood bilinguals, those who moved abroad before adolescence, might not see the value in maintaining their mother tongue because it is only spoken at home, while others might have been placed in an environment where their first language is no longer spoken.
Why is this never spoken about?
It is an almost taboo topic, even among researchers, because language loss focuses on the negative impacts of a largely wonderful part of life. Some 3.6% of the world’s population are international migrants -over 281 million people - and many of these people need to speak a second language daily to live in their new environment. The EU even offers language classes to migrants to help them assimilate better to the new culture.
In fact, the global language learning market made over $60 billion in 2023 due to rising globalisation and the availability of e-learning. It has never been easier to learn a foreign language, whether it is for professional or recreational reasons. Highlighting the lesser-known downsides and impacts of language learning adds a layer of difficulty nobody wants to consider.
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When we talk about losing languages, a lot of the time we talk about language extinction and how to combat it, while not the examining the small-scale impact individual language loss can have. When a person loses the language, they were brought up in; they lose a part of the culture and the ability to speak with their family or home. But most importantly, they lose their ability to think as they once did before.
What can be done?
From a research perspective there is still a lot we do not know about language loss so more research on the topic is definitely needed. We do know that language development happens through practice and repetition, and those losing their languages often do not have the space to practice. A lot of the time we see the new language and community taking over, as people try to fit into their new roles.
But gatherings and community events for members from specific countries or cultures can majorly boost language maintenance and connection with their mother tongue. This is incredibly important, not just for adults who move abroad but for children too.
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Who is responsible for individual language preservation? Are the migrants themselves responsible for their native language? Should the home country enable cultural events via the embassies and consulate? What about minority languages like Frisian or Basque? How can these smaller communities be supported?
Fortunately, there has been an increased recognition of the importance of first languages from both a social and research perspective. For now, we know 2 things: 50% of the world is bilingual but 100% of us speak a first language and the topic of language loss remains relatively unresearched. If half the world is bilingual and language learning is a $60 billion industry, shouldn’t we also invest in understanding how to preserve the languages we already speak?
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The views expressed here are those of the author and do not represent or reflect the views of RTÉ
