The Vanishing Pronoun: A Case Study of Language Attrition in Russian

Abstract This study presents a shifting pattern in the use of second person singular pronouns of address in Russian by adult Russian immigrants in Toronto. The newly developing pattern is treated as a case of L1 attrition. The observed changes to the pronominal system of Russian are discussed in...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Dmitri Priven
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Carleton University 2002-06-01
Series:Canadian Journal of Applied Linguistics
Online Access:https://journals.lib.unb.ca/index.php/CJAL/article/view/19843
Description
Summary:Abstract This study presents a shifting pattern in the use of second person singular pronouns of address in Russian by adult Russian immigrants in Toronto. The newly developing pattern is treated as a case of L1 attrition. The observed changes to the pronominal system of Russian are discussed in the framework typically employed in language attrition literature, with reference to various linguistic phenomena such as lexical transfer, simplification of morphosyntax, markedness theory and competence vs. performance attrition. Reference is also made to sociolinguistic phenomena such as L1/L2 use in sociolinguistic domains, ethnolinguisitic vitality and shift in cultural identity.
ISSN:1481-868X
1920-1818