VERY LONG-TERM RETENTION OF A 1ST LANGUAGE WITHOUT REHEARSAL - A CASE-STUDY

A case study is presented of an American sign language-using deaf woma n whose life circumstances were such that she had no opportunities to use her sign language over nearly 40 years, but whose recall of its le xicon and syntax were almost unimpaired when she resumed its use after that period. Implications for the role of memory in first language le arning are compared with results for second languages, and the role of rehearsal and interference in remembering over very long periods is c onsidered.