FIRST LANGUAGE ATTRITION: A STUDY OF LEXICAL ATTRITION AMONG ENGLISH STUDENTS AT SHAHEED BENAZIR BHUTTO UNIVERSITY, SHAHEED BENAZIRABAD

Abstract

Language, integral to communication, is equally vital for cultural identity. The pervasive use of second languages, particularly English as a global lingua franca, in contemporary multicultural societies raises concerns about the erosion of native languages. This research delves into the phenomenon of lexical attrition within the first languageof final-year BS English students at Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University, Shaheed Benazirabad. The study encompasses the entire final-year batch of the English Department at SBBU SBA, involving a sample of 100 participants selected through simple random sampling. A questionnaire-based vocabulary test, encompassing 10 common and 10 specialized words frequently encountered in the university context, was administered to gauge the participants' lexical proficiency without the aidofreference materials. Utilizing IBM SPSSStatistics21foranalysis, the findings indicated that 63.5% of responses, on average, were inaccurately provided, pointing to a substantial level of lexical attrition among final-year BS English students at SBBU SBA. This research contributes to the understanding of the repercussions of heightened English usage within academic spheres and its impact on the preservation of students' native language proficiency. The study underscores the need for awareness andintervention to mitigate lexical attrition, there by preserving linguistic diversity and cultural heritage.