Final answer:
The phase during which a child acquiring a second language might use their first language less frequently is commonly referred to as a 'silent period' or 'language shift.' Children have a natural predisposition for language learning, enabling them to acquire languages efficiently during critical periods of their development.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a child is acquiring a second language, they may experience a decrease in the use of their first language. This phase is not explicitly named in the available reference material, but it can be referred to as a language attrition or a silent period when the child might focus more on the new language and use the native language less often. Additionally, the process may involve a language shift when the child begins to adopt the second language as their preferred means of communication.
Language development in children is quite complex, and they typically begin to learn language from an early age. Even before the occurrence of one-word utterances, babies enter into a babbling stage, where they try out various sounds. As they grow, they begin to organize words based on certain grammar rules, increasing both their comprehension and usage of language .It's well established that children have a biological predisposition for language acquisition, which helps them pick up languages quickly and effectively. Researchers note that though acquiring a second language might cause a temporary decline in the use of the first language, children's cognitive abilities equip them for mastering multiple languages within certain critical periods of development.