Review and Prospect of Foreign Language Attrition Research

doi:10.12002/j.bisu.611

Abstract

Abstract:

Since the beginning of this century, foreign language attrition has drawn increasing attention from scholars, both in China and abroad, due to its unique research value. Based on a review of classical studies of language attrition, the existing research is categorized according to four types in this paper: longitudinal tracking, cross-sectional comparisons, mixed-method studies, and other approaches. Building on this synthesis, several widely acknowledged findings are identified: (1) the primary aim of research on attrition is to resist language attrition in order to better retain foreign language proficiency; (2) vocabulary remains the focus in the study of language attrition; (3) research methods are increasingly becoming interdisciplinary in nature; and (4) multiple internal and external factors interact in shaping the outcomes of attrition. Finally, a forward-looking perspective from four dimensions is presented in this paper, namely enhancing the systematicity and specificity of research methods, broadening and deepening the scope of the study, refining and integrating intra- and extra-linguistic factors, and innovating and expanding theoretical frameworks. It is hoped that this review will serve as a useful reference for future research on foreign language attrition.

Keywords: language attrition; foreign language attrition; language retention; factors in attrition

摘要：

进入21世纪以来，外语损耗因其独特的研究价值日益受到国内外学者的关注。本文基于外语损耗经典研究文献，将相关研究整合为纵向跟踪、横向对比、混合研究及其他类型，并在此基础上对这些研究进行了进一步探析，发现：①损耗研究的目的是抵御损耗，以更好地保持外语；②就语言损耗层面而言，词汇依然是研究的重点；③研究方法呈现多学科融合趋势；④影响因素呈现多元化，语内语外因素具有协同作用。笔者从增强研究方法的系统性和针对性、拓宽和深化研究、细化和整合影响损耗的语内语外因素以及创新和拓宽理论支撑等4个方面进行展望，希望为国内外语损耗相关研究提供参考。

关键词: 语言损耗, 外语损耗, 语言保持, 损耗因素

CLC Number:

H319

Pan Keju, Yang Lianrui, Chen Shifa. Review and Prospect of Foreign Language Attrition Research[J]. Journal of Beijing International Studies University, 2025, 47(5): 126-138.

潘克菊, 杨连瑞, 陈士法. 外语损耗研究评述及展望[J]. 北京第二外国语学院学报, 2025, 47(5): 126-138.

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