This paper focuses on the interactions between the languages in the multilingual mind with reference to studies on cross-linguistic influence, dominance shift and, particularly, language attrition. We first address first language attrition by providing a brief state of the art with respect to three main questions: why does attrition arise, how does it happen and what kind of structures are mainly concerned by attrition. Psycholinguistic factors influencing interactions with the mental lexicon are specifically discussed in order to explain why some words are more vulnerable to semantic extensions than others. We then describe some main results of studies on second and foreign language attrition with focus on the role of extralinguistic and linguistic factors.

This article on the effect of globalization and superdiversity on language practices in Montreal and Brussels focuses on the sociolinguistic making of two francophone metropolises both affected by language contact resulting from historical development and contemporary migrations. After an overview of the changes in the linguistic market dynamics and a presentation of language planning issues, the article provides an analysis for each metropolis. The language practices are approached from three angles: the speakers’ linguistic repertoire, the description of language use and the analysis of linguistic attitudes and representations. An emphasis is put on the contribution of speakers associated with cultural diversity to the local sociolinguistic dynamics.

This article investigates the vital processes of identity construction (i.e. interactive semiotic processes) on multilingual French-based Amazigh websites. It examines how the Internet as an instrument of globalisation allows people to perform the functions afforded by linguistic resources trans-locally and, accordingly, how it repositions these functions in the interactive (substantive and cognitive) space. The article also discusses the particular relationship between linguistic diversity, language representations and ethnic identity on minority websites through the analysis of the interactants’ online discourse (edited and user texts).