Abstract

Patterns of language loss were analyzed in twenty-five returned French-speaking missionaries who had spent from one-and-a-half to two years in a French-speaking environment and who had returned to the United States from four months to five years ago. The subjects were given a written vocabulary test and an oral interview to determine their proficiency in the language. The results of this study showed that the patterns or change in particular language forms varied according to each language form. Some categories showed an obvious pattern of loss while some varied from year to year, with no pattern of any kind in evidence. There was a definite pattern of loss found in vocabulary. There was more loss in the productive portion of vocabulary than in the recognition portion. There was also a decrease in overall proficiency in the language.

Degree

College and Department

Humanities; Center for Language Studies

Rights

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