International Journal of Bilingualism (Call for papers)

Background

Studies into the language of bilinguals have traditionally interpreted non-linear, or even erratic, developments to be 'noise' in the system (Herdina & Jessner, 2002, p. 78). However, in an attempt to acknowledge such 'noise', an approach consistent with dynamic systems theory proposes that the presence of one or more language systems influences the development of not only the L2, 'but also the development of the overall multilingual system' (Herdina & Jessner, 2002, p. 28).

In response to the recent proposal that dynamic systems theory is a candidate for an overall theory of language development (de Bot, Lowie & Verspoor, 2007; Herdina & Jessner, 2002), as well as an increase in research activity in the area of first language attrition (see for example Schmid, 2009; Köpke, 2007), we seek high quality abstracts contributing theoretical and/or empirical perspectives to a special issue of the International Journal of Bilingualism entitled 'Dynamics of First Language Attrition across the Lifespan'. Contributions encompassing longitudinal findings and those which not only document but explain (ir-)regularities (Ellis, 2007, p. 23) on the basis of dynamic systems theory are particularly welcome.


Call particulars

Authors are invited to submit abstracts of unpublished, original work of approximately 800 words. Abstracts should be submitted electronically to the e-mail address below by 22 December 2009. Authors of selected abstracts will be invited to submit complete manuscripts subject to peer review.


Important dates

• 22 December 2009 - Deadline for abstract submission
• 31 March 2010 - Notification to authors
• December 2010 - Submission of manuscript
• August 2011 - Notification of outcome of peer review to authors
• May 2012 - Targeted publication date

Please send your abstract and any enquiries to: dynamics.of.L1attritiongmail.com

Questions may also be directed to the co-editors: Esther de Leeuw (esther.deleeuw uwe.ac.uk), Dorota Lubińska (dorota.lubinskabiling.su.se), Conny Opitz (opitzctcd.ie)


References

• de Bot, K., Lowie, W., & Verspoor, M. (2007). A Dynamic Systems Theory Approach to Second Language Acquisition. Bilingualism: Language and Cognition, 10(1), 7-21.
• Ellis, N. C. (2007). Dynamic Systems and SLA: The Wood and the Trees. Bilingualism: Language and Cognition, 10(1), 23-25.
• Herdina, P., & Jessner, U. (2002). A dynamic model of multilingualism. Multilingual Matters, Clevedon.
• Köpke, B. (2007). Language attrition at the crossroads of brain, mind and society. In B. Köpke, M. S. Schmid, M. Keijzer, & S. Dostert (Eds.), Language Attrition : Theoretical perspectives (pp. 9 - 37). John Benjamins Publishing Company, Amsterdam.
• Schmid, M. (2009). On L1 attrition and the linguistic system. In L. Roberts, D. Véronique, A. Nilsson & M. Tellier (Eds.), EUROSLA Yearbook Vol. 9 (pp. 212 - 244). John Benjamins Publishing Company, Amsterdam.