Interaction of L1 attrition, language attitudes and identity in Lithuanian diaspora

The aim of this paper is to analyse the way in which language attitudes and identity are related to Lithuanian L1 attrition in Lithuanian emigrant communities residing in various countries worldwide. This is achieved by studying the extralinguistic factors, such as convictions about the importance of the heritage Lithuanian language in life, feelings associated with the Lithuanian language, identification with the culture and history of the native and/or host country and the country itself.