| Abstract [eng] |
Due to increased interest of Spanish language and culture in Lithuania over the last few years, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the Spanish sojourners adaptation in Lithuania. Furthermore, it is important to find out the main obstacles of Spanish culture representatives while communicating with locals, exploring the influence on their adaptation process. On a basis of qualitative research (9 semi – structured interviews) study concerning Spanish Cultural Adaptation in Lithuania has been carried out. The main assumption is that Spanish cultural adaptation is influenced by such internal factors as individual motivation to adapt in a host society, aim of arrival, motivation to learn Lithuanian language and communicate with Lithuanians. The external factors which influence Spanish Adaptation in Lithuania are the difference between climate, acceptance of the host society and barriers of communications with Lithuanians. The research has shown that firstly, Spanish are satisfied with the current reached status in Lithuania. The main reason of that is their fulfilment with occupied positions in a new country. Secondly, all of them maintain their personal identity. Thirdly, Spanish who live more than 10 years in Lithuania are more likely to associate themselves with Lithuanians depending on a place of their living, in Spain they consider to be Spanish and in Lithuania they are Lithuanians. Taking into account, that successful adaptation is defined as the individual happiness and satisfaction of his living in a host society and his reached status, the conclusion of this paper is – majority of Spanish people are successfully adapting in Lithuania. |
