The paper analyzes Lithuanian students’ preparedness for sustainable learning from the perspective of self-directedness. The data for the study were collected using a questionnaire that explored students’ perceptions in line with ten indicators of self-directed learning. The research sample (n = 309) was composed of the third and fourth year undergraduates accomplishing their degrees in various areas of studies. The data analysis revealed how students perceive their readiness for sustainable learning. Goal setting, technical readiness, time management, procrastination management, exam preparation and stress management indicators were analysed in detail in order to determine which variables had the most significant impact on these indicators. The study revealed that the students are only partially prepared for sustainable learning at the university. Even though they have the necessary digital competencies that allow for effective involvement in the learning process, the data revealed that they are prone to procrastination. The results also showed that the students perceived themselves to be the least competent in stress management and procrastination management.

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Business communication online has developed over time due to the constant change of modern communication technologies. Researchers affirm that digital technologies have both positive and negative impact on business communication. Creativity in business communication turns to be crucial in the realization of business opportunities. However, it is linked not only to imagination or original ideas. It also means innovation and innovativeness, the use of innovative digital technologies that help to fuel great ideas, enhance critical thinking, open new ways to business ambitions. The study is devoted to the analysis of linguistic aspects in computer-mediated business communication. Two types of digital business discourse – e-mail and websites of insurance companies – are analyzed with the focus on their linguistic features. From the linguistic point of view computer-mediated business communication differs from conventional business communication and the use of lexicon (e.g. special formal and standard vocabulary) is critical in making this communication successful. Grammatical features of business language are also of great relevance. Stylistic features employed in business communication are also crucial since they help to provide emphasis, achieve clarity and freshness of expression. Linguistic elements of computer-mediated communication in e-mails and analysed websites do not always coincide. The analysis has shown that websites tend to be less formal and compared to e-mails are more exposed to creative linguistic expressions.

The paper considers the problems associated with comprehension and translation of idioms within the framework of the theory of linguistic relativity and the translation theories. The main statements of these theories used for explaining the difficulties of idioms' translation from/into the English or Lithuanian language are presented. The considered problems are analysed from various perspectives. Case studies, demonstrating different nomination principles used in English and Lithuanian due to different approaches of the native speakers of these languages to the same objects or 'pieces' of reality are provided. The comparative analysis of English and Lithuanian idioms as the most interesting and peculiar expressions of a language, showing its unique character, is performed and the arising difficulties and the available techniques of idioms' translation are demonstrated, taking into account the main statements of the theories of linguistic relativity and translation. Special attention is paid to idioms, whose main ideas are expressed differently in the considered languages and, therefore, present many difficulties to non-native speakers. The influence of traditions, culture, the environment and other factors on the form and contents of the idioms in each of the considered languages is also shown. The analysis performed demonstrates the effectiveness of the theory of linguistic relativity in explaining the nature and causes of the arising comprehension and translation problems, as well as its possibilities to give a translator a native speaker's insight and help him\her avoid some typical errors. The recommendations of how to make a translation of idioms more accurate and authentic by using the appropriate translation techniques are also given.

The aim of this study is to analyse the translation strategies of culture-specific items used in the Lithuanian translation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby, published in 2013 by seeking to determine strategies chosen by the Lithuanian translator in order to eliminate cultural gaps related to culture-specific items, as well as to determine which of the strategies are predominant and therefore which translation approach prevails. The research is carried out relying on the classification of translation startegies provided by Pedersen (2005) which include strategies such as official equivalent, retention, specification, direct translation, generalization, substitution, and omission. Quantitative analysis is used to determine which strategies are predominant in the translation, while qualitative analysis is employed to discuss the reasonability of translator’s choices. Knowledge and awareness of the translation strategies of culture-specific items provide easily identifiable advice on how culture-specific items could be used and translated.