Losing a Language over a Lifetime - What happens after immigration -
by Mathilda Petmecky
Embedded Files
Georg’s old German Passport
Background
After they’ve successfully moved into their new environment immigrants will begin the process of attuning to the new culture, (for example taking part in the country’s holidays or buying the fruit of the area), something called “acculturation.” With acculturation comes a new way of living and, for those moving into unknown language territory, eventually comes “language attrition,” or the loss of (their first) language.
This isn’t something that happens overnight, and it isn’t always a complete loss. Activities that significantly lower the risk are things like visiting home and connecting with old friends, all in the realm of the language at risk. Because the cause of language loss is from infrequent use, those who immigrate in groups, for example a family, have the continued opportunity to speak their first language, making them less likely to suffer the loss.
Age also comes into play though, meaning a child’s transition may be more complete compared to a grown ups, because a child might be more apt to conform to the new culture and language and leave behind their old one since they have spent less time there than their parents.
This phenomenon of acculturation causing language loss affects many, (see graph), and worse, the longer they are disconnected from their mother country and tongue the more they replace the characteristics of their old country with the new one. This can lead to a disconnect from their loved ones and culture, festering feelings of inadequacy, resentment and overall unhappiness.
While this may seem daunting, the reality of most is a life filled with both the first and second languages, and with the first falling just below the second in proficiency.
At one point during covid my dad hadn’t visited Germany for maybe four years and wasn’t calling to check in on his friends, so when talking to his parents he had to use English words in place of the German ones he’d forgotten.
Of the number of immigrants in America, (51.9M), 28.8M or 55.49% of all U.S. immigrants come from countries with a predominantly non-English speaking population.
The First Three Years vs the Rest of Your Life
In the beginning, paperwork takes center stage with the basics of legal residence coming in the form of visas and then green cards.
Besides the many kinds of visas (which give temporary residence for respective amounts of time) the green card is used to stay in the US permanently.
Georg’s first U.S. visa
Green cards can be obtained through family, but for those without any in the new country a number of companies take on immigrant employees and sponsor their visas or green cards. Marriage (with a citizen) is also an option a little later to break out of the company’s contract and pursue another position.
Those with green cards who meet certain requirements can also apply for citizenship, allowing them to vote, get a passport, etc. (fun fact, a passport from someone’s home country can be used to travel in and out of the U.S. to lots of countries, not only between the two).
My mom told me about the day my dad woke up and realized he had started dreaming in English, instead of his native German. He was understandably upset.
Now comes the rest of your life, after the excitement of the move has dissipated and you’re comfortable in, say, the U.S., eating American takeout and listening to American music. You’re American now, right? Well it isn’t that simple. In your old country you knew who you were, where you were from, where your home was, but now you’ve come here those things overlap. You’re from there, you live here, but maybe both are your home. Moving someplace doesn’t mean all of what you left behind is gone.
So you’re not one thing and not the other, you can still enjoy both sides through language and culture, while not having to choose one over the other. It’s a really interesting and rewarding opportunity to be a part of both communities and experiences, something not many can say they have (see graph).
And think of how differently you would have turned out if you hadn’t taken a chance and went for it; would you have found your dream job and partner then?
With the rest of your life still ahead of you, maybe kids are even in the cards, and with them you can pass on your first language, but that isn’t simple either.
Out of the total population of America, only a small portion are from non-English speaking countries and experience double the culture and/or language attrition.
I remember when my dad tried teaching all three of us kids German when we were pretty young. He spoke to us in his language, but was overwhelmed by the English we used everywhere else, including with our American mother, who couldn’t speak it herself. Eventually he gave up, and I lost the few German words and phrases I could understand the same as English.
Other Circumstances
The transition of immigration with kids and/or a partner is a whole different bucket of fish. Here is an online story with that, told by the child who adapted too quickly -
https://www.newyorker.com/culture/personal-history/forgetting-my-first-language
And here is a wonderful ted talk about the 2nd generation experience with their parents’ language and how languages evolve over time, told by a 2nd generation Russian whose first language was Russian -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Pb3MthdeNw&t=252s
Imbed - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Pb3MthdeNw&t=252s
Conclusion
In any case, immigration goes beyond the physical move, affecting people deeply over a long period of time and no matter the circumstances, it is a big decision.
Especially in the transition from one language to another, immigration can be a very rewarding experience that can lead to many new horizons.
To conclude on a happy ending, my Papa is happily married with three girls -- two of whom are learning German with Duolingo (Ja, ein ist mich) along with our mother -- and visiting his parents every other summer back in Hillscheid after around two decades here.
Sources (including the article and youtube video) -
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8452950/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Pb3MthdeNw&t=252s
https://www.newyorker.com/culture/personal-history/forgetting-my-first-language
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