This book is the result of a conference with invited participants around the theme of Progression and Regression in Language, held in August 1990 at Botkyrka in the vicinity of Stockholm. The conference was organized by the Centre for Research on Bilingualism, Stockholm University, in co-operation with the Swedish Immigration Institute and Museum at Botkyrka. The idea of a conference was originally proposed by representatives of the Institute, and the conference was set up as part of the Summer University of Sodertorn programme. We would like to express our gratitude to the Institute and Summer University for the generous financial support which made the conference possible. In particular, we would like to thank the director of the Institute, Leif Magnusson, and Ingrid Lundberg, also from the Institute, for valuable and much appreciated help with the organization.

Among our colleagues at the Centre for Research on Bilingualism, we would first like to thank Maria Wingstedt for efficiently performing the frequently arduous duties requested of a conference secretary, and for her contribution to the creation of an inspiring and relaxed atmosphere during the meeting. We also owe special thanks to Christopher Stroud for his many fruitful suggestions on the organization and themes of the conference and for the insightful comments and the work he put into our introductory chapter of this book.