Shqip is one of the most unusual languages in Europe, and one of the oldest stories we carry. Here are ten facts worth knowing, whether you speak it every day or are still learning.
1. It is on a branch of its own
Albanian is the only living language in its own branch of the Indo-European family. It is related to English, Greek and Latin, but has no close sister language. Where exactly it descends from is still debated by scholars.
2. Two big dialect groups
Gheg is spoken in the north, roughly above the Shkumbin river, and in Kosovo, North Macedonia and Montenegro. Tosk is spoken in the south. Speakers of the less extreme forms can usually understand each other.
3. One standard language
Standard Albanian was agreed at the Congress of Orthography in Tirana in 1972 and is based mainly on Tosk.
4. 36 letters
The alphabet has 36 letters, including 9 two-letter combinations such as dh, sh and xh. It was agreed at the Congress of Manastir (Bitola) in November 1908, which is why 22 November is Albanian Alphabet Day.
5. The oldest written sentence dates from 1462
The baptismal formula (Formula e Pagëzimit), written by Pal Engjëlli, Archbishop of Durrës, is the oldest known sentence in written Albanian.
6. The first printed book dates from 1555
Gjon Buzuku’s Meshari, a missal, is the first known book printed in Albanian. The only surviving copy is in the Vatican Library.
7. Old Albanian lives on in Italy
The Arbëresh communities of southern Italy speak a variety that goes back to medieval Albanian and keeps old features. Italy recognises them as a linguistic minority.
8. About 7.5 million speakers
Estimates vary, but about 7.5 million people speak Albanian worldwide, around 6 million of them in the Balkans.
9. Official in several countries
Albanian is the official language of Albania, official alongside Serbian in Kosovo, co-official in North Macedonia under a 2019 language law, and in official use in Montenegro.
10. Shqip means to speak clearly
Albanians call their language shqip, themselves shqiptarë and their country Shqipëri. Most scholars connect these words to shqipoj, to speak clearly. And remember: po means yes and jo means no.
Ready to practise? Start with our everyday Albanian phrases.
Sources: Britannica: Albanian language · Britannica: Geg · Wikipedia: Albanian Orthography Congress · Wikipedia: Congress of Manastir · Wikipedia: Albanian alphabet · Wikipedia: Formula e Pagëzimit · Wikipedia: Meshari · Wikipedia: Arbëresh language · Wikipedia: Albanian language · Wikipedia: Names of the Albanians and Albania