The impact of language attrition on language teaching: The dynamics of linguistic knowledge retention and maintenance in multilingualism

Abstract

Language attrition has become a vibrant theme as it has implications for theoretical linguistics, including, for example, the organization of linguistic information in the brain and language processing. Insights from this area also have an impact on the study of second language (L2) development and can feed the area of language teaching. Once language attrition may be valuable for the study of language retention and maintenance, it can contribute to language teaching with long lasting results, more efective planning and syllabus design. In this perspective, as studies exploring L2 attrition are still limited, this article1 provides a synthesis of research on the area. By drawing from the Dynamic Model of Multilingualism and from the hreshold Hypothesis, it also explores the implications L2 attrition research has for language teaching with a view to establishing more informed language practices and policies.