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Chapter 1 Introduction

Language attrition is generally considered as the reversal of language learning,which is also known as language loss. It is the most common tenn used for any “loss oflanguage skills”（Moorcraft & Gardner, 1987: 327) that occurs, and is the actualdisappearance of information from memory. The conference held in 1980 marked theemergence of the study of language attrition as a new subject, and since then, languageattrition has received more and more attention by researchers both at home and abroad.According to Van Els (1986), language attrition were divided into four types, i.e.,loss of LI in LI-environment, loss of LI in L2-environment, loss of L2 inLI-environment, and loss of L2 in L2-environment. First language attrition refers to “achange in the native language system of the bilingual who is acquiring and using asecond language" (Schmid & Kopke, 2009).

语言流失通常被认为是作为语言学习，这也被称为语言亏损拨回。这是最常见的田纳西州用于任何损失语言生活技能“（Moorcraft加德纳，1987：327）所发生的，并且是从存储器中的信息的实际消失。在1980年举行的会议，标志着语言流失的研究作为一门新兴学科的出现，从那时起，语言流失在国内外的研究人员已经收到越来越多的关注。据范·埃尔斯（1986），语言流失分为四种类型，即李李环境损失，李L2环境损失，损失的L2 inLI环境，和L2 L2环境损失。第一语言流失指的是“A更改本地语言系统的双语获取和使用此后的语言”（施密德和科普克，2009）。

The process of LI attrition is probably dueto two factors according to Schmid & Kopke (2009): the presence, development anddominance of the L2 system; and the dramatic reduction in LI use and input. Olshtain(1989) stated that “second language attrition occurs whenever there is a reduction insecond language use due to group or individual needs and pReferences or due toenvironmental changes limiting the use of the language (or languages) in question withrespect to another language that is dominant in the new environment，’（p. 151). This studyfocuses on loss of L2 in LI-environment, i.e. the attrition of English as a foreignlanguage in Chinese context.
As for the current study, the main purpose is to examine the justification ofRegression Hypothesis in Chinese context. The Regression Hypothesis, which was firstformulated by Jakobson (1941, cited in Keijzer, 2004) in linguistic terms, holds that"attrition is the image of acquisition" (Yoshitomi, 1992; 295). Studies related to thishypothesis abroad are numerous; however, studies at home, especially studies on thejustification of this hypothesis are much fewer. This study aims to study the justificationof Regression hypothesis at the intra-skill level, i.e., within lexicon. The studies at thislevel abroad are also many, which are introduced in 2.2.1.2. On the contrary, such studiesat home are rare. As a result, this study can offer empirical evidence for further studies on lexical attrition of English in Chinese context.Besides, this study will also investigate both influencing factors related to attritedlexicon and those related to attriters to find out which variables will affect the attrition offoreign lexicon in Chinese context.
According to the selectivity theory, language attrition is a selective phenomenon,which is a “rule governed process" (Seliger, 1991: 228). In the attrition of lexicon, thisselective phenomenon appears that certain elements of lexicon are more likely to beattrited than others. This study aimed to discover which kinds of lexicon are more likelyto be forgotten. There are many linguistic features which are frequently investigated, suchas word class，frequency, and cognation (introduced in 2.3.1)，and the influencing fa本论文由英语论文网提供整理，提供论文代写，英语论文代写，代写论文，代写英语论文，代写留学生论文，代写英文论文，留学生论文代写相关核心关键词搜索。