An experimental study on first language loss: Dutch immigrants in Canada

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Description of Research Project

The project you will contribute to aims to gain a better understanding of the linguistic and extra-linguistic factors that contribute to the loss of or changes to an individual’s first language (L1) when residing in a country where a different language (L2) is spoken. Canada is a country with large immigration and bilingualism is the norm. Understanding when and how people lose aspects of their first language is important to develop theoretical models of language learning. Investigations into how the grammar systems of speakers in diaspora communities are affected by contact with other languages can also provide new key insights into cross-generational language change and on the effects of language maintenance on cognitive and mental health. As a case study, this project focuses on Dutch immigrants to Canada and how their use of the Dutch language may be affected by their use and knowledge of English. We research this by investigating how Dutch native speakers in Canada process sentences that are either grammatical in Dutch or ungrammatical (but grammatical in English).

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Undergraduate Student Responsibilities

The student will contribute to the development of the experiment and test pilot participants. Specific tasks involve:
1. Main task: learn to create a Self-Paced Reading task in PsychoPy builder. You will focus on the technical part, the exact sentences and conditions will already have been established.
2. Create a timeline of the experiment in JsPsych by placing all experimental trials, consent form and background information forms together using Javascript templates.
3. Complete the TCPS 2 course on research ethics with human participants.
4. Announce the study to eligible participants through facebook pages, community centres, personal connections etc.
5. Communicate over email with participants for a pilot study with monolingual English speakers (conducted online), provide information about the study, answer questions and debrief.

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Qualifications Required

You are interested in language learning and in experimental research on second language acquisition and first language loss. Note that you do not have to be a linguistics major to join this project. In fact, the position is also ideal for students in computer science or cognitive science (or related). You have strong organizational skills, written communication skills and an eye for detail. You have some experience with or willingness to get familiar with the Python language in order to help develop experiments in PsychoPy. You have to be a native speaker of English (as you will help translating experimental stimuli into English). It would be a great advantage if you have some knowledge of Dutch and/or connections to Dutch heritage communities in Ontario, but this is not a requirement. There might be an opportunity to stay involved with the project after the summer 2026 semester.