Learning Albanian

Revision as of 15:37, 17 August 2018 by Jukeboksi (talk | contribs) (→‎Loan words for English speakers: + hamburger, -i, -ë == a hamburger)

Welcome to Learning Albanian.

 
Shqiponja është e madhe në Shqipëri. The eagle is big in Albania. është, 3rd pers. sing. for "to be" is a loan word from Latin

The name of the Albanian language in Albanian language is 'shqip' and the name of the country Albania is 'Shqipëri' (indefinite (later indef.)) and 'Shqipëria. (definite (later def.))

 
Q is the most far-out non-western compliance letter in the Albanian language. It is pronounced a sharp 's' like in chuck.

Both of these could be derived from the word sq.'shqiponja' == en."the eagle" or is it the other way around that shqip is so awesome that the name of the eagle then gotta be shqiponja.

First things to know

 
Albanian flag is very red and black (kuq e zi) and sq."Shqiponja ka dy kokat!" == en."The eagle has two heads!". ka is the 3rd person singular for 'to have'. dy means two. kokat is definite plural form of kokë, head

Nouns: first things to know

As you may notice the Albanian nouns have their article affixed to the end of the noun and not preceding it. Later-on code like this 'Shqipëri, -a' tells you that the definite form is formed by adding the definite article '-a' to it.

Albanian has 2 grammatical genders: masculine and feminine but worry not, sing. indef. nouns that end in a consonant are masculines and nouns ending in a vowel are feminines. Exceptions are if the noun clearly is of the other gender than the vowel/consonant rule would say.

Verbs: first things to know:

Albanian verbs have no infinite forms so all the dictionaries have them listed by the 1st person singular. This is handy for quickly learning to express what I do or what I would like to do.

Adjectives: first things to know

For those of you who know French you'll feel at home as adjectives and adverbs are placed after the noun also in Albanian.

Nouns and adjectives are connected by an adjectival article. For nominative these are 'i' for masculine and 'e' for feminine.


Verbs

Albanian verbs are divided into 6 classes as follows:

  1. Class 1 - Verbs ending in 'j'
  2. Class 2 - Verbs ending in a consonant
  3. Class 3 - Verbs ending in a vowel
  4. Class 4 - Three verbs ending in 'i'
  5. Class 5 - Irregular verbs
  6. Class 6 - Verbs ending in '(h)em'

Class 1 verbs - end in 'j'

 


Class 2 verbs - end in a consonant

 


Class 3 verbs - end in a vowel

 


Class 4 verbs - the three verbs ending in 'i'

 


Class 5 verbs - irregular verbs


Class 6 verbs - end in '(h)em'

 


Building up vocabulary

 
Ë is not pronounced when it is at the end of a word. When inside a word it is like the syllable "uh".

Knowing the first things to know about nouns and adjectives now would be a good time to consider starting to play the Basic Albanian 1 on Memrise. Memrise programs your brain slightly differently than traditional methods, but hey, how harmful can it be?

Albanian has a lot of loan words but they come from a wide variety of languages including but not limited to Latin, English, Italian, French, Slavic, Germanic, Arabic, Swedish etc.

Jamaican shares from Albanian the word 'I ri'. In Albanian 'i ri' means both new and young for masculine nouns. Corresponding form for feminine nouns is 'e re'.

Lists of loan words

The forms given for nouns are

  1. Singular, indefinite
  2. Singular, definite
  3. Plural indefinite

Mots d'emprunt pour francophones

These often come via Italian or are originally from Latin by which the words not so magically happen to often be the same in French. Jukeboksi (talk)

  1. abazhur, -i, -e == un abat-jour == a lampshade
  2. alkool, -i, -e == un alcool == alcohol
  3. ambasadë, -a, -a == une ambassade == an embassy
  4. ansambël, -li, -lë == un ensamble == a (performing) group
  5. avion, -i, -ë == un avion == an airplane
  6. avokat, -i, -e == un avocat == a lawyer
  7. bibliotekë, -a, -a == une bibliothèque - a library
  8. biftek, -u, -ë == un bifteck == a beefsteak
  9. biletë, -a, -a == un billet == a ticket
  10. bluzë, -a, -a == une blouse == a blouse
  11. bursë, -a, -a == une bourse == this word means both, like in French, a stock exchange and a study grant for undergraduates
  12. diskotekë, -a, -a == une discothèque == a diskotheque
  13. dakord == d'accord == agreed, all right
  14. divorc == un divorce == a divorce
  15. ekspozitë, -a, -a == une exposition == an exhibition
  16. emision, -i, -e == une émission == TV/radio show, program, broadcast
  17. fill, -i, fije == un fil == a thread
  18. financiar, -e == financier == financial
  19. fizikë, -a == une physique == physics
  20. Francẽ, -a, -a == La France == France
  21. francez, -i, -ë == un français == a French
  22. francez, -e == français, -e == French (adj.)
  23. galeri, -a, - == une galerie == a gallery
  24. gaz, -i, -e == un gaz == a gas
  25. gjeografik, -e == géographique == geographic
  26. grevë == une grève == a strike
  27. gri == gris == grey
  28. grip, -i, -e == une grippe == a flu
  29. ide, -ja, - == une idëe == an idea
  30. inkonjito == incognito == incognito
  31. interesant, -e == interesant == interesting
  32. inxhinier, -i, -ë == un ingénieur == an engineer
  33. kabinë, -a, -a == une cabine == a booth
  34. katër == quatre == four
  35. këmishë, -a, -ë == une chemise == a shirt
  36. kimi, -a == chimie == chemistry
  37. kuadër, -ri, -ro == un cadre == frame, setting
  38. kurs, -i, -e == un course == rate, course
  39. kuzhinë, -a, -a == une cuisine == a kitchen
  40. lahutë, -a, -a == un luth == a lute
  41. legjendë, -a, -a == une légende == a legend
  42. librari, -a, - == une librarie == a bookstore
  43. linjë, -a, -a == une ligne == a line
  44. madhësti -a == une majesté == a majesty
  45. maj, -i == maj == May
  46. mandarinë, -a, -a == une mandarine == a mandarin
  47. mars, -i == mars == March
  48. më == me == me, to me (attn. më can be a number of other things to in sentences)
  49. meny, -ja, - == un menu == a menu
  50. menyrë, -a, -a == une manière == manner, way
  51. mesazh -i, -e == un message == a message
  52. miliard, -i, -ë == un milliard == a billion
  53. milion, -i, ë == un million == a million
  54. modë, -a == une mode == fashion
  55. mur, -i, -e == un mur == a wall
  56. muzë, -u - == un musée == a museum
  57. natyrë, -a == une nature == a nature
  58. oriz, -i == riz == rice
  59. paketë, -a, -a == un paquet == a package
  60. park, -u, -qe == un parc == a park
  61. pasion, -i, -e == une passion == a passion
  62. peizazh, -i, -e == un paysage == a scenery
  63. periudhë, -a, -a == une période == a period, time
  64. person, -i, -a == une personne == a person
  65. personalitet, -i, -e == une personnalité == a personality
  66. përqindje, -a, -e == un pourcentage == a percentage
  67. pishinë, -a, -a == une piscine == a swimming pool
  68. pistë, -a, -a == une piste == lane, floor
  69. pjesë, -a, -e == une pièce == a piece
  70. plazh, -i, -e == une plage == a beach
  71. portë, -a, -a == une porte == a gate
  72. pozicion, -i, -e == une position == a position
  73. prezantim == présentation == presentation
  74. principatë, -a, -a == une principauté == a principality, princedom
  75. prozë, -a, -a == une prose == a prose
  76. pulë, -a, -a == un poulet == a chicken
  77. qershi, -a, - == une cerise == a cherry
  78. qiell, -lli, -j == le ciel == the sky.
  79. recepsioniste, -ja, -e == une réceptionniste == a receptionist (fem.)
  80. rezultat, -i, -e == un résultat == a result
  81. rigon, -i == origan == oregano
  82. rol, -i, -e == un rôle == a role
  83. roman, -i, -e == un roman == a novel
  84. sallë, -a, -a == une salle == lobby, auditorium, room
  85. sandale, -ja, -e == une sandale == a sandal
  86. seri, -a, - == une série == a series
  87. shans, -i, -e == une chance == a chance
  88. shef, -i, -a == le chef == a chef, a chief, a boss
  89. shifër, -ra, -ra == un chiffre == a figure, cipher
  90. shofer, -i, -ë == un chauffeur == a driver
  91. shurup, -i, -e == un sirop == a syrup
  92. sistem, -i, -ë == un système == a system
  93. strateg, -u, -ë == un stratège == a strategist
  94. strategjik, -e == stratégique == strategic
  95. studio, -ja, - == un studio == a studio
  96. supë, -a, -a == une soupe == a soup
  97. suvenir, -i, -e == un souvenir == a souvenir
  98. tabelë, -a, -a == une table == (black)board
  99. tarracë, -a, -a == une terrasse == a terrace
  100. teatër, -ri, -ro - un théâtre - a theatre
  101. teatralë, -e == théâtral == theatrical
  102. teknik, -e == technique == technical
  103. teknologji, -a, - == une technologie == a technology
  104. temperaturë, -a, -a == une température == a temperature
  105. transfertë, -a, -a == un transfert == a transfer, transaction
  106. i,e trishtuar - triste - sad
  107. temë, -a, -a == un thème == a theme, topic
  108. tension, -i == une tension (artérielle) == blood pressure
  109. traditë, -a, -a == une tradition == a tradition
  110. trupë, -a, -a == une troupe == a troupe, company, band
  111. universitet, -i, -e == une université == an university
  112. valixhe, -ja, -e == une valise == a suitcase, baggage
  113. vegjetal, -e == végétal == vegetable (adj.)
  114. verandë, -a, -a == une véranda == a terrace, veranda
  115. vitrinë, -a, -a == une vitrine == a shop window
  116. vizë, -a, -a == un visa == a visa
  117. vizitë, -a, -a == une visite == a visit
  118. vizitor, -i, -ë == un visiteur == a visitor
  119. vlerë, -a, -a == une valeur == a value

Loan words for Italian speakers

  1. antipastë, -a, -a == un antipasto == an antipasti
  2. argjend, -i == argento == silver
  3. autobus, -i, -ë == un autobus == a bus
  4. ballkon, -i, -e == un balcone == a balcony
  5. biçikletë, -a, -a == una bicicletta == a bicycle
  6. birrë, -a, -a == una birra == a beer
  7. biskotë, -a, -a == un biscotto == a biscuit
  8. bizele, -ja, -e == un pisello == a bean
  9. çokolatë, -a, -a == una cioccolata == a chocolate
  10. divan, -i, -e == un divano == a sofa, a couch
  11. fitore, -ja, -e == una vittoria == a victory
  12. forum, -i, -e == un forum == a forum
  13. i,e fortë == forte == strong
  14. i,e freskët == fresco == fresh
  15. freskues, -e == rinfrescante == refreshing
  16. garazh, -i, -e == un garage == a garage
  17. gjigand, -i, -ë == un gigante == a giant
  18. gjykatës, -i, - == un giudice == a judge
  19. gusht, -i == agosto == August
  20. higjenë, -a == igiene == hygiene
  21. kakao, -ja, - == un cacao == a cocoa
  22. kallamar, -i, -ë == un calamaro == a calamari
  23. kamarier, -i, -ë == un camriere == a waiter
  24. kamion, -i, -e == un camion == a truck
  25. kapelë, -a, -a == un cappello == a cap (hat)
  26. kapitull, -lli, -j == un capitolo == a chapter
  27. kështjellë, -a, -a == un castello == a castle
  28. krap,- i, krep == una carpa == a carp
  29. klimë, -a, -a == un clima == a climate
  30. libër, -ri, -ra == un libro == a book
  31. limon, -i, -ë == un limone == a lemon
  32. makinë, -a, -a == una macchina == a car
  33. mit, -i, -e == un mito == a myth
  34. mobilje, -a, -e == un mobile == furniture
  35. nip, -i, -a == un nipote == a cousin
  36. orë, -a, -ë == un'ora == an hour (or a clock)
  37. origjinë, -a, -a == un'orignine == an origin
  38. pacient, -i, -ë == un paziente == a patient (male)
  39. paqe, -ja == pace == peace
  40. papagall, -lli, -j == un pappagallo == a parrot
  41. pantallona, -t == un pantalone == pants
  42. patate, -ja, -e == una patata == a potato
  43. patatinë, -a, -a == patatine == potato chips
  44. peshk, -u, peshq == un pesce == a fish
  45. peshkatar, -i, -ë == un pescatore == a fisherman
  46. për == per == for, about
  47. peshë, -a, -a == peso == weight
  48. picë, -a, -a == una pizza == a pizza
  49. pikant, -i, -ë == piccante == spicy
  50. piktor, -i, -ë == un pittore == a painter
  51. pjatë, -a, -a == un piatto == a plate, a dish, a course (food)
  52. proshutë, -a, -a == un prosciutto == a ham (also means bacon)
  53. salcë, -ë, -a == una salsa == a sauce
  54. salsiçise, -ja, -e == una salsiccia == a sausage
  55. sallatë, -a, -a == un'insalata == a salad
  56. siguri, -a, - == una sicurezza == a security
  57. skuadër, -ra, -ra == una squadra == a team
  58. stilograf, -i, -ë == una penna stilografica == a fountain pen
  59. tendencë, -a, -a == una tendenza == a tendency, trend
  60. titull, -lli, -j == un titolo == a title
  61. tortë, -a, -a == una torta == a cake
  62. tradicional, -e == tradizionale == traditional
  63. tren, -i, -a == un treno == a train
  64. vazo, -ja, - == un vaso == a vaze
  65. vilë, -a, -a == una villa == a villa

Loan words for English speakers

  1. administrativ, -e == administrative
  2. admirim, -i == admiration
  3. aeroplan, -i, -ë == an airplane
  4. aeroport, -i, -e == an airport
  5. akademi, -a, - == an academy
  6. aksident, -i, -e == an accident
  7. aktiv, -e == active
  8. aktivitet, -i, -e == an activity
  9. aktor, -i, -ë == an actor
  10. aleancë, -a, -a == an alliance
  11. amerikan, -i, -ë == an American
  12. amfiteatër, -ri, -ro == an amphitheater
  13. antik, -e == antique
  14. antikitet, -i == antiquity
  15. antologji == an anthology
  16. apartament, -i, -e == an apartment
  17. arkeolog, -u, -ë == an archaeologist
  18. arkeologjik, -e == archaeological
  19. arkitekturor, -e == architectural
  20. aromë, -a, -a == an aroma
  21. artikull, -lli, -j == an article
  22. artist, -i, -ë == an artist
  23. artistik, -e == artistic
  24. atmosferë, -a, -a == an atmosphere
  25. audiencë, -a, -a == an audience
  26. autoritet, -i, -ë == an authority
  27. balet, -i, -e == a ballet
  28. banane, -ia, -e == a banana
  29. bankë, -a, -a == a bank
  30. banknotë, -a, -a == a banknote
  31. basketboll, -i == basketball
  32. basketbollist, -i, -ë == a baskeball player
  33. bazë, -ë, -a == a base
  34. blu == blue
  35. botanik, -e == botanical
  36. brokoli == broccoli
  37. celular, -e == cellular
  38. ceremoni, -a, - == a ceremony
  39. çek, -ku, -qe == a check (payment instrument)
  40. datë, -a, -a == a date (time)
  41. datoj == to date (time)
  42. debat, -i, -e == a debate
  43. dentar, -e == dental
  44. dentist, -i, -ë == a dentist
  45. derë, -a, dyer == a door
  46. deshirë, -a, -a == a desire
  47. deshiroj == to desire
  48. dialekt, -i, -e == a dialect
  49. dietë, -a, -a == a diet
  50. diplomat, -i, -ë == a diplomat
  51. diskutoj == to discuss
  52. dixhital == digital
  53. dizanoj == to design
  54. dokument, -i, -e == a document
  55. dokumentar, -i, -ë == a documentary
  56. domate, -ja, -e == a tomato
  57. edukatë, -a == an education
  58. egoist, -i, -ë == an egoist
  59. ekonomi, -a == economics
  60. ekonomik, -e == economical
  61. ekonomist, -i, -ë == an economist
  62. ekskursion, -i, -e == an excursion
  63. ekzekutues, -e == executive
  64. elegant, -e == elegant
  65. elektricitet, -i == electricity
  66. elektronik, -e == electronic
  67. estetik, -e == aesthetic
  68. i famshëm, e famshme == famous
  69. fazë, -a, -a == a phase
  70. firmë, -a, -a == a firm (business)
  71. fakt, -i, -e == a fact
  72. fanellë, -a, -a == a flannel shirt, undershirt
  73. i favorishëm, e -me == favourable
  74. festival, -i, -e == a festival
  75. filëte, -a, -a == a fillet
  76. film, -i, -a == a film
  77. financier, -i, -ë == a finacier
  78. formë, -a, -a == a form, shape (paper or digital form is formular)
  79. formoj == to form
  80. fotografi, -a, - == a photograph
  81. frutë, -a, -a == a fruit
  82. furnizim, -i, -e == furnishing, supplies
  83. futboll, -i == football (soccer)
  84. galeri, -a, - == a gallery
  85. gjerman, -i, -ë == German (nationality)
  86. gjerman, -e == German (adj.)
  87. gradë, -a, -a == a grade, quality
  88. gjimnastikor, -i == gymnastic (adj.)
  89. grup, -i, -e == a group
  90. hamburger, -i, -ë == a hamburger
  91. hero, -i, -nj == a hero
  92. imejl == email (also postë elektronike, email or e-mail)
  93. intergritet == integrity
  94. itinerar, -i, -e == an itinerary
  95. informativ == informative
  96. janar, -i == January
  97. ju == you
  98. katastrofë, -a, -a == a catastrophe
  99. klub, -i, -e == a club
  100. kopjoj == to copy
  101. kupë, -a, -a == a cup
  102. letër, -ra, -ra == a letter, a card
  103. lider == a leader
  104. menaxher, -i, -ë == a manager
  105. mineral == mineral
  106. muzikë, -a == music
  107. oksigjen, -i, -e == oxygen
  108. pako, -ja, - == a pack, packet, parcel
  109. park, -ku, -qe == a park
  110. periudhë, -a, -a == a period
  111. ping-pong == ping-pong, table tennis
  112. piper, -i == pepper (table spice)
  113. pjek == to bake
  114. plan, -i, -e == a plan
  115. poet, -i, -ë == a poet
  116. polifoni, -a, - == a polyphony
  117. popullor, -e == popular
  118. porcelan, -i == porcelain
  119. postë, -a, -a == mail, post office post
  120. prill, -i == April
  121. qendër, -a, -a == a center
  122. radio, -ja, - == a radio
  123. recital, -i, -e == a recital
  124. restorant, -i, -e == a restaurant
  125. reumatizëm, -mi, -ma == rheumatism
  126. i,e saktë == exact
  127. sandale == sandals
  128. sanduiç, -i, -ë == a sandwich
  129. sekret, -i, -e == a secret
  130. sekretar, -i, -ë == a secretary
  131. sekt, -i, -e == a sect
  132. semestër, -ri, -ra == a semester
  133. seminar, -i, -e == a seminar
  134. sezon, -i, -e == a season
  135. shkollë, -a, -a == a school
  136. shtet, -i, -e == a state, country
  137. simbolik, -e == symbolic, very cheap
  138. simptomë, -a, -a == a symptom
  139. sinjal, -i, -e == a signal
  140. i,e sinqertë == sincere
  141. situatë, -a, -a == a situation, condition
  142. social, -e == social
  143. solemn, -e == solemn, gala
  144. specifikë, -a, -a == a specific feature
  145. spektakël, -li, -le == a spectacle
  146. spektator, -i, -ë == a spectator
  147. spinaq, -i == spinach
  148. spital, -i, -e == a hospital
  149. sporadik, -e == sporadic
  150. statut, -i, -e == a statute
  151. sukses, -i, -e == success
  152. stomak, -u, -ë == a stomach
  153. stres, -i == stress
  154. studioj == to study
  155. taksi, -a, - == a taxi
  156. tekst, -i, -e == a text
  157. telefon, -i, -a == a telephone
  158. telefon celular == a cell phone
  159. tempull, -lli, -j == a temple
  160. transferim, -i, -e == a transfer
  161. turist, -i, -ë == a tourist
  162. turistik, -e == touristic
  163. vaksinë, -a, -a == a vaccine
  164. vanilje, -a == vanilla
  165. variant, -i, -e == a variant, variation
  166. vëllim, -i, -e == volume
  167. vitaminë, -a, -a == a vitamin
  168. vizitoj == to visit
  169. volejboll, -i == volleyball
  170. xhaketë, -a, -a == a jacket
  171. xhinse == jeans, denim
  172. zero == zero
  173. zonë, -a, -a == zone, area, region

Loan words for Swedish speakers / Lån ord för svensktalande

  1. fabrikë == en fabrik - a factory
  2. konkurrencë == en konkurrens - competition (market)
  3. natë, -e, net == en natt - a night.
  4. provë, -a, -a == ett prov == a test, experiment, fitting
  5. provoj == prova == to try
  6. radhë -a, -ë == en rad == a row
  7. shkumë == en skum == a foam

Loan words for Russian speakers

  1. banjë, -a, -a == ванная == bathroom
  2. bankomat, -i, -e == Банкомат == an ATM
  3. çaj, -i == чай == tea
  4. diabet, -i == диабет == diabetes
  5. gazetë, -a,- a == газета == a newspaper
  6. jug == юг == south
  7. kukull, -a, -a == кукла == a doll
  8. pallto, -ja, - == пальто == a coat
  9. shah, -u == шах == chess
  10. televizor, -i, -ë == телевизор == television set
  11. ti == ты == you (singular)

Loan words for Turkish speakers

  1. bakllava, -ja, - == baklava == baklava
  2. byrek, -u, -ë == börek == a savory pie
  3. hamam == hamam == Turkish bath
  4. kolltuk, -u, kolltuqe == koltuk == armchair, seat
  5. osman, -e == Osmanlı == ottoman
  6. sulltan, -i, -ë == sultan == a sultan
  7. sheqer, -i == şeker == sugar
  8. shishe, -ja, -e == şişe == a bottle
  9. shisqebap, -i, -e == şiş kebap == shish kebab

Loan words for German speakers

  • mensë, -a, -a == die Mensa == a school cafeteria, a cantine

Loan words for Latin speakers

  1. e mërkurë, -a, -a == Mercurii == Wednesday
  2. monedhë, -a, -a == monetæ == coin, coinage, small change

Loan words for Spanish speakers

  1. telenovelë, -a, -a == una telenovela == a soap opera

False friends

  1. i,e habitur == surprised, astonished
  2. konvikt, -i, -e == a dormitory
  3. koran, -i, -ë == a trout
  4. verdhë == yellow

Resources for learning Albanian

Books for learning Albanian

  • Colloquial Albanian (2012) is an excellent book for anglophones by Linda Mëniku and Héctor Campos. It is concise and well organized. The learning curve gets steeper towards the end. Routledge, the publisher has kindly made audio for all text passages downloadable for free from the book's homepage. As of 2018 the vocabulary of this excellent book have not yet been made to a memrise. A previous edition in the same Colloquial series from the early 90's does have a memrise of the vocabulary.
  • Discovering Albanian 1 (2011) is also by Linda Mëniku and Héctor Campos and it consists of a textbook and workbook. As of 2018 there is no Discovering Albanian 2. The audio for the textbook can be accessed only via 2 CD's. Who has CD-players these days? Let's hope The University of Wisconsin Press wakes up and provides streaming and download at no extra charge.

Albanian radio

  • There are various streaming apps available in the app stores.
  • Live Online Radio is a radio streaming service for the web. It has one of the largest selections of Albanian radios.
  • Radio.garden has a beautiful user interface where you tune into radios by spinning a globe to the desired location of transmission.

Albanian TV

  • https://albanian.tv/ offers streaming of many of the popular Albanian TV channels. It often works but occasionally the streams have trouble playing out without intermittent interruptions.
  • The RTSH Tani app is available for Android and iOS Apple phones. With the app you can access all the channels broadcast by RTSH including RTSH Film. The app does not have ads (excellent) whereas the RTSH channels do have ads. RTSH Tani app also features a VOD archive where you can watch recent programs up-to-2-days into the broadcasting history and a handy integrated EPG.

Films with Albanian subtitles

  • These you can find on Youtube by searching for 'filma me titra shqip'. Watching movies spoken in a language you understand while reading the subtitles in the language you want to learn is an excellent way to learn and refresh in a low-effort manner.
  • There are also Albanian films. These are unfortunately not subtitled and the speech is often really rapid. French do subtitle some of their own films on TV5MONDE to aid the non-natives tackle the 5 words per second pace.

Wiki literature

  • Wikibooks.org, Albanian version may be useful after you have gained the basics. Reading wikibooks of subjects and fields you already know may fast-forward your ability to read some text.
  • Albanian Wikipedia Same advice, select subjects this way you have a clear idea of what it is likely to say. Wikipedia writing is less predictable than a textbook.

Online texts

  • Foreign Services Institute (FSI) (1965) .pdf book on Albanian. From this I can recommend the history introduction of this text aimed mostly for US armed forces personel though naturally the FSI's work helps also non-military government workers to gain knowledge too. Albanian language has changed so much since 1965 that this cannot really be used to learn contemporary albanian but the intro is good if you are a history and culture puff.

Learning games

  • https://memrise.com is a spaced repetition flashcard and beyond language learning game and it has various memrises of varying quality. Memrise programs your brain slightly differently than traditional methods of vocabulary acquisition.
  • Basic Albanian 1 (~170 things to learn) and
  • Basic Albanian 2 (~210 things to learn) are of high quality, simple intros to the basic building blocks made by BaaS, an apparent memrise genius if you look at his productivity, scope and quality of his work.
  • (No typing) Albanian Menu (~110 things to learn). " For people intending to travel to Albania this memrise obviously highly recommendable as we all gotta eat. No typing"-courses are fun because they are faster to play so you also get points faster.
  • Discovering Albanian 1 (~1800 things to learn) a professional quality memrise based on the vocabulary lists of the book of the same name. This memrise contains audio in high quality, consistency and precision for practically all words and phrases to be learned. This memrise has over 1800 things to learn so it is the biggest available. The makers of this memrise have used sensible notation: For nouns indefinite and definite singular and indefinite plural are given etc. etc.
  • Albanian Verbs (~480 things to learn). Teaches you the 1st person singular form of verbs (Albanian has no infinitives) with the exception of "to be" and "to have" where all present tense forms are taught in the last level.