Let’s continue with our series of articles about the languages spoken in various countries around the world. Today, we will discover what language is spoken in Albania. You might not be very familiar with the linguistic reality of the country, but that will change once you’ve read this article!
Albania: Historical and Geographical Overview
Albania is located on the Balkan Peninsula, bordering Montenegro to the north, Kosovo to the east, North Macedonia to the southeast, and Greece to the south. Its western coast is washed by the Adriatic Sea, while its eastern coast borders the Ionian Sea.
The country has a mountainous topography, with the Albanian Alps (also known as the Dinaric Alps) running along its northern border. The highest point in Albania is Mount Gjallica, which reaches 2,751 meters above sea level.
Albania’s history is rich and complex, shaped by a series of cultural influences and conquests over the centuries. The region that is now Albania has been inhabited since prehistoric times and was home to various civilizations, including the Illyrians, Romans, Byzantines, Ottomans, and neighboring empires.
Albania declared its independence from the Ottoman Empire on November 28, 1912, becoming an independent country. During the 20th century, Albania went through periods of isolation under the communist regime of Enver Hoxha, who ruled the country for decades and maintained autarkic and repressive policies.
Following the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe in the 1990s, Albania began a transition toward a multiparty democracy and a market economy.
Since then, Albania has pursued integration into European institutions and has experienced significant economic growth and modernization.
What Is the Official Language of Albania?
The official language of Albania is Albanian.
Albanian is an Indo-European language with its own dialectal variations, but the standard form of Albanian is used in government administration, education, and the media throughout the country. It is important to note that Albanian is one of the oldest languages in Europe and has a unique linguistic identity in the region.
Although it is an Indo-European language, Albanian forms its own independent branch and is not directly related to any other language within this family. That is, it does not resemble Latin, Greek, Germanic, or Slavic, which are the main branches of Indo-European languages.
Albanian also uses its own alphabet, called the “Albanian alphabet” (alfabeti shqip), which is a variant of the Latin alphabet.
Albanian has several dialectal varieties, some of which differ significantly from each other. The two main divisions are Northern Albanian (Gheg) and Southern Albanian (Tosk).
The Tosk dialect is the basis of the standard Albanian used in education and the media in Albania. This standard dialect is spoken by about 2,900,000 people.
The Gheg dialect is spoken by about 1,800,000 people. It is less widely spoken and is not the version taught in educational institutions. It is mainly spoken in northern Albania.
What Other Languages Are Spoken in Albania?
As mentioned, the official and predominant language in Albania is Albanian. However, due to its history and geography, other languages are also spoken in the country. The main languages spoken in Albania besides Albanian are:
-
Greek: Spoken in southern Albania, especially near the border with Greece, due to a historic Greek minority in the region.
-
Macedonian: Spoken in parts of eastern and southeastern Albania near the North Macedonian border, particularly in areas inhabited by the Macedonian-Albanian population.
-
Aromanian: A Romance language spoken in some communities in central and southern Albania, especially in the Vlora region.
-
Serbian and Montenegrin: Due to proximity to Serbia and Montenegro, some communities in northern Albania near the Montenegro border speak Serbian or Montenegrin.
-
Italian and English: Italian is the main foreign language taught in schools and is especially used along the coastal region. English has also become more common, especially among younger generations and in tourist areas.
How Well Do Albanians Speak English?
Although the level of English in Albania has increased in recent years, especially among younger generations and in urban areas, it can vary widely depending on the region and age group.
In major Albanian cities like Tirana, Durrës, and Vlora, as well as in tourist areas, you’re more likely to encounter people who speak English fluently or at an intermediate level. This is partly due to tourism exposure and the availability of educational institutions offering English classes.
In rural areas and among older generations, English may be less common, and you may encounter people who don’t speak it at all or only have limited knowledge.
What Language Should You Learn If You Travel to Albania?
It’s unlikely you speak Albanian, but if you do—congratulations! You’ll have no problem getting around Albania.
If you don’t speak the official language, English should be sufficient, as locals in major tourist areas tend to speak it.
However, as we always say, it’s a good idea to learn a few basic words and expressions in the official language of the country—in this case, Albanian—to help you connect with locals and show your interest in the country’s history and culture.
To Learn More
If you want to find out what languages are spoken in other countries, feel free to check out the following articles:
Find out what languages they speak in Belgium
Discover the language spoken in the Basque country
Comments