There are no accurate statistics on the number of people who have lost the ability to speak their first language. But it is likely a growing number, with the rise in global migration and the loss of thousands of minority languages. For people in this situation, is relearning their native tongue a realistic goal? Can they tap into childhood memories? Or is it better to just move on? Patrick Cox has the story of Julie Devy, author of “Memory Speaks,” who learned Czech growing up, moved to Canada, lost her ability to use the language, and then decided to relearn Czech as an adult.
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