First Language Lexical Retrieval Attrition Among Iraqi Kurdish Migrants in the Netherlands

Abstract

This research explores the phenomenon of first language (L1) lexical attrition among late-bilingual Kurdish migrants living in the Netherlands, focusing on their results in a verbal fluency task (VFT). The study focuses on lexical retrieval, which is a key area often impacted by attrition among migrant populations, as it depends on accessing the mental lexicon. A comparison was made between the lexical retrieval capabilities of 50 late-bilingual Kurdish migrants who have lived in the Netherlands for more than 15 years (migrated after the age of 17) and 50 matched monolingual Kurdish speakers residing in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The VFT was employed as a tool to examine the L1 lexical attrition among Kurdish migrants living in the Netherlands. The results showed that the bilingual group produced fewer correct lexical items compared to the monolingual group, suggesting a notable decline in lexical access consistent with L1 attrition. The study adds to the limited research on L1 attrition in the Kurdish context and provides valuable insights into how language dynamics change within migrant populations in multilingual settings.