Second Language Attrition and the Case of Irish - An Exploration of the Savings Paradigm with Respect to Lexical Item Knowledge

This book offers further insight into the complex process of second language attrition and the interacting variables that influence it. Focusing on the Irish language, it explores the language behaviour and learning experience of four Irish adults residing in Germany, who have not had contact with the Irish language in approximately 30 years. It closely examines levels of retention of lexical item knowledge and observes that seemingly forgotten information can be reactivated on re-exposure. The book is also of particular relevance for those interested in minority languages and the impact of state and education policy on language maintenance.

List of contents

Acknowledgements - Introduction - Language Attrition - The Irish language - Research design - Results and analysis - Discussion - Overview and closing remarks - References - Appendices .

About the author

Eimear Geary studied at University College Dublin, Ireland, and at the University of Cologne, Germany, where she was awarded her PhD in Applied Linguistics. She is a lecturer in Linguistics, Applied Linguistics, and Language Practice at the English Department II of the University of Cologne. Her principal research interests include language attrition, language maintenance, bilingualism and multilingualism, and second language acquisition.

Product details

• Authors: Eimear Geary
• Assisted by: Christiane Bongartz (Editor)
• Publisher: Peter Lang
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 01.01.2022
• EAN: 9783631869055
• ISBN: 978-3-631-86905-5
• No. of pages: 296
• Dimensions: 148 mm x 24 mm x 210 mm
• Weight: 453 g
• Illustrations: 56 Abb.
• Series: Inquiries in Language Learning
• Subject: Humanities, art, music > Linguistics and literary studies > Other languages / Other literatures