In the context of language use of Romanian migrants living in Canada, this thesis examines the linguistic changes and the contributing social, personal, and affective factors involved in the maintenance of a migrant’s first language (L1) as she or he simultaneously acquires a second language (L2) in an L2-dominant environment. Specifically, it investigates the incidence of L1 attrition in the bilingual group, the existence of a possible systematic relationship between the levels of L1 and L2 proficiency, and the influence of sociolinguistic and cognitive factors on L1 attrition and L2 acquisition in bilingual contexts. L1 attrition is defined here as both the reduction of L1 language skills and the restructuring of the L1 according to L2 patterns to the point where communication in the L1 is impaired. The present study involves extensive elicitation of written and oral data in both Romanian and English. First, an assessment of the participants’ history of language acquisition, their attitudes, their patterns of language use, and the nature of their social networks was conducted via sociolinguistic questionnaires and individual interviews. The language aptitude tests used in this project examined phonetic memory, vocabulary learning, and grammatical inferencing abilities. As an indicator of overall language proficiency, formal tests (a C-test and a verbal fluency task) and samples of spontaneous speech in the form of film commenting tasks were analyzed for fluency and grammatical complexity. The results showed that L1 attrition is a possible, but not obligatory, outcome in the first generation of migrants. With the exception of two participants, the majority of the bilinguals in this study, while not perfect matches for the L1 monolinguals, remained within the L1 native range even after a long residence in the L2 country. While proficiency trade-off patterns are not observable at the group level, they were evidenced in the cases of the two attriters identified in this study. With respect to cognitive predictor variables, L1 maintenance does not appear to be a direct function of linguistic aptitude. At the same time, levels of L1 attrition and L2 achievement are dependent on a combination of attitudinal and personal background variables.

In the context of language use of Romanian migrants living in Canada, this thesis examines the linguistic changes and the contributing social, personal, and affective factors involved in the maintenance of a migrant’s first language (L1) as she or he simultaneously acquires a second language (L2) in an L2-dominant environment. Specifically, it investigates the incidence of L1 attrition in the bilingual group, the existence of a possible systematic relationship between the levels of L1 and L2 proficiency, and the influence of sociolinguistic and cognitive factors on L1 attrition and L2 acquisition in bilingual contexts. L1 attrition is defined here as both the reduction of L1 language skills and the restructuring of the L1 according to L2 patterns to the point where communication in the L1 is impaired. The present study involves extensive elicitation of written and oral data in both Romanian and English. First, an assessment of the participants’ history of language acquisition, their attitudes, their patterns of language use, and the nature of their social networks was conducted via sociolinguistic questionnaires and individual interviews. The language aptitude tests used in this project examined phonetic memory, vocabulary learning, and grammatical inferencing abilities. As an indicator of overall language proficiency, formal tests (a C-test and a verbal fluency task) and samples of spontaneous speech in the form of film commenting tasks were analyzed for fluency and grammatical complexity. The results showed that L1 attrition is a possible, but not obligatory, outcome in the first generation of migrants. With the exception of two participants, the majority of the bilinguals in this study, while not perfect matches for the L1 monolinguals, remained within the L1 native range even after a long residence in the L2 country. While proficiency trade-off patterns are not observable at the group level, they were evidenced in the cases of the two attriters identified in this study. With respect to cognitive predictor variables, L1 maintenance does not appear to be a direct function of linguistic aptitude. At the same time, levels of L1 attrition and L2 achievement are dependent on a combination of attitudinal and personal background variables.

Much research has demonstrated the positive impact sport plays in individuals??? lives; however, there are gendered rates of participation. In particular, adolescent girls participate in sport at a lower rate than their male peers. The withdrawal from sport for adolescent girls has been linked to gender and heteronormativity but the current literature does not adequately explain the attrition rate. Therefore, utilizing autoethnography, this research studied the gendered and heteronormative sporting context, specifically the recreational sport inside and outside the school, of adolescent girls. My own memories, sport memorabilia, conversations with my parents, and present-day experiences have informed the creation of my narrative. The findings from my autoethnography support the notion that gender intensifies during adolescence and presses femininity and heterosexuality onto adolescent girls. Coupled together, gender ideology and heteronormativity influence the negotiation of sport participation through peers and perceived peer appraisals, and lead to specific behaviour to demonstrate appropriate gender and sexual orientation. Heterosexual adolescent girls and athletes are not guarded against the lesbian label, a prevalent and powerful description of female athletes as a result of the femininity/athleticism conflict. Described in this research were my motivations to avoid the label, as well as, the ways in which I did so. Given that gender intensifies during adolescence, these negotiations are occurring when identity formation processes are taking place, which has implications for impending adulthood and sport participation. As such, the withdrawal of adolescent girls from sport has implications for Canadian sport and policy provisions to create a positive and gender inclusive space for adolescent girls.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 2008. / Title from title page screen (viewed on Mar. 13, 2009). Thesis advisor: Chauncey J. Mellor. Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.Ed.)--York University, 2007. Graduate Programme in Education. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 132-141). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&res_dat=xri:pqdiss&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:MR29549

Thesis (M.S. in Operations Research)--Naval Postgraduate School, December 1997. / Thesis advisor(s): Rosenthal, Richard E. "December 1997." Includes bibliographical references (p. 109). Also available online.

Thesis (M.S. in Operations Research)--Naval Postgraduate School, March 1994. / Thesis advisor(s): Larson, Harold J. "March 1994." Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S. in Operations Research)--Naval Postgraduate School, June 1994. / Thesis advisor(s): Whitaker, Lyn R. "June 1994." Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S. in Operations Research)--Naval Postgraduate School, March 1995. / Thesis advisor(s): Whitaker, Lyn R. "March 1995." Includes bibliographical references. Also available online.

Thesis (M.S. in Management) Naval Postgraduate School, March 1999. / Thesis advisor(s): Eitelberg, Mark J. ; Mehay, Stephen L. "March 1999". Includes bibliographical references (p. 105). Also available online.