Learning Albanian

Revision as of 09:03, 18 August 2018 by Jukeboksi (talk | contribs) (→‎Loan words for English speakers: + kështjellë, -a, -a == a castle, fortress)

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 idée == an idea
  30. inkonjito == incognito == incognito
  31. institucion, -i, -e == une institution == an institution
  32. interesant, -e == interesant == interesting
  33. inxhinier, -i, -ë == un ingénieur == an engineer
  34. juridik, -e == juridique == legal, judicial
  35. kabinë, -a, -a == une cabine == a booth
  36. kafe, -ja, -e == un café == a coffee
  37. kanal, -i, -e == un canal == a channel
  38. kanion, -i, -e == un canyon == a canyon
  39. karakter, -i, -e == un caractère == a character, nature
  40. karakteristik, -e == caractéristique == characteristic
  41. karotë, -a, -a == une carotte == a carrot
  42. kartë, -a, -a == une carte == a card (also a paper)
  43. kartë krediti == une carte de crédit == a credit card
  44. katër == quatre == four
  45. katolik, -e == catholique == catholic
  46. këmishë, -a, -ë == une chemise == a shirt
  47. kimi, -a == chimie == chemistry
  48. kuadër, -ri, -ro == un cadre == frame, setting
  49. kurs, -i, -e == un course == rate, course
  50. kuzhinë, -a, -a == une cuisine == a kitchen
  51. lahutë, -a, -a == un luth == a lute
  52. legjendë, -a, -a == une légende == a legend
  53. librari, -a, - == une librarie == a bookstore
  54. linjë, -a, -a == une ligne == a line
  55. madhësti -a == une majesté == a majesty
  56. maj, -i == maj == May
  57. mandarinë, -a, -a == une mandarine == a mandarin
  58. mars, -i == mars == March
  59. më == me == me, to me (attn. më can be a number of other things to in sentences)
  60. meny, -ja, - == un menu == a menu
  61. menyrë, -a, -a == une manière == manner, way
  62. mesazh -i, -e == un message == a message
  63. miliard, -i, -ë == un milliard == a billion
  64. milion, -i, ë == un million == a million
  65. modë, -a == une mode == fashion
  66. mur, -i, -e == un mur == a wall
  67. muzë, -u - == un musée == a museum
  68. natyrë, -a == une nature == a nature
  69. oriz, -i == riz == rice
  70. paketë, -a, -a == un paquet == a package
  71. park, -u, -qe == un parc == a park
  72. pasion, -i, -e == une passion == a passion
  73. peizazh, -i, -e == un paysage == a scenery
  74. periudhë, -a, -a == une période == a period, time
  75. person, -i, -a == une personne == a person
  76. personalitet, -i, -e == une personnalité == a personality
  77. përqindje, -a, -e == un pourcentage == a percentage
  78. pishinë, -a, -a == une piscine == a swimming pool
  79. pistë, -a, -a == une piste == lane, floor
  80. pjesë, -a, -e == une pièce == a piece
  81. plazh, -i, -e == une plage == a beach
  82. portë, -a, -a == une porte == a gate
  83. pozicion, -i, -e == une position == a position
  84. prezantim == présentation == presentation
  85. principatë, -a, -a == une principauté == a principality, princedom
  86. prozë, -a, -a == une prose == a prose
  87. pulë, -a, -a == un poulet == a chicken
  88. qershi, -a, - == une cerise == a cherry
  89. qiell, -lli, -j == le ciel == the sky.
  90. recepsioniste, -ja, -e == une réceptionniste == a receptionist (fem.)
  91. rezultat, -i, -e == un résultat == a result
  92. rigon, -i == origan == oregano
  93. rol, -i, -e == un rôle == a role
  94. roman, -i, -e == un roman == a novel
  95. sallë, -a, -a == une salle == lobby, auditorium, room
  96. sandale, -ja, -e == une sandale == a sandal
  97. seri, -a, - == une série == a series
  98. shans, -i, -e == une chance == a chance
  99. shef, -i, -a == le chef == a chef, a chief, a boss
  100. shifër, -ra, -ra == un chiffre == a figure, cipher
  101. shofer, -i, -ë == un chauffeur == a driver
  102. shurup, -i, -e == un sirop == a syrup
  103. sistem, -i, -ë == un système == a system
  104. strateg, -u, -ë == un stratège == a strategist
  105. strategjik, -e == stratégique == strategic
  106. studio, -ja, - == un studio == a studio
  107. supë, -a, -a == une soupe == a soup
  108. suvenir, -i, -e == un souvenir == a souvenir
  109. tabelë, -a, -a == une table == (black)board
  110. tarracë, -a, -a == une terrasse == a terrace
  111. teatër, -ri, -ro - un théâtre - a theatre
  112. teatralë, -e == théâtral == theatrical
  113. teknik, -e == technique == technical
  114. teknologji, -a, - == une technologie == a technology
  115. temperaturë, -a, -a == une température == a temperature
  116. transfertë, -a, -a == un transfert == a transfer, transaction
  117. i,e trishtuar - triste - sad
  118. temë, -a, -a == un thème == a theme, topic
  119. tension, -i == une tension (artérielle) == blood pressure
  120. traditë, -a, -a == une tradition == a tradition
  121. trupë, -a, -a == une troupe == a troupe, company, band
  122. universitet, -i, -e == une université == an university
  123. valixhe, -ja, -e == une valise == a suitcase, baggage
  124. vegjetal, -e == végétal == vegetable (adj.)
  125. verandë, -a, -a == une véranda == a terrace, veranda
  126. vitrinë, -a, -a == une vitrine == a shop window
  127. vizë, -a, -a == un visa == a visa
  128. vizitë, -a, -a == une visite == a visit
  129. vizitor, -i, -ë == un visiteur == a visitor
  130. 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. harmonik, -e == harmonic
  92. hero, -i, -nj == a hero
  93. historik, -e == historical
  94. holl, -i, -e == a hall
  95. hotel, -i, -e == a hotel
  96. identifikim, -i, -e == an identification
  97. ikonografik, -e == iconographic
  98. imejl == email (also postë elektronike, email or e-mail)
  99. individual, -e == individual (adj.)
  100. infeksion, -i, -e == an infection
  101. informativ, -e == informative
  102. instrument, -i, -e == an instrument
  103. intensivisht == intensively
  104. intergritet == integrity
  105. interes, -i, -a == an interest
  106. internet, -i == the Internet
  107. interpretim, -i, -e == an interpretation
  108. interpretoj == to interpret
  109. Itali, -a == Italy
  110. italian, -e == Italian (adj.)
  111. italian, -i, -ë == Italian (nationality
  112. itinerar, -i, -e == an itinerary
  113. janar, -i == January
  114. ju == you
  115. kamp, -i, -e == a a camp
  116. katalog, -u, -ë == a catalogue
  117. katastrofë, -a, -a == a catastrophe
  118. kategori, -a, - == a category
  119. kështjellë, -a, -a == a castle, fortress
  120. klub, -i, -e == a club
  121. kopjoj == to copy
  122. kupë, -a, -a == a cup
  123. letër, -ra, -ra == a letter, a card
  124. lider == a leader
  125. menaxher, -i, -ë == a manager
  126. mineral == mineral
  127. muzikë, -a == music
  128. oksigjen, -i, -e == oxygen
  129. pako, -ja, - == a pack, packet, parcel
  130. park, -ku, -qe == a park
  131. periudhë, -a, -a == a period
  132. ping-pong == ping-pong, table tennis
  133. piper, -i == pepper (table spice)
  134. pjek == to bake
  135. plan, -i, -e == a plan
  136. poet, -i, -ë == a poet
  137. polifoni, -a, - == a polyphony
  138. popullor, -e == popular
  139. porcelan, -i == porcelain
  140. postë, -a, -a == mail, post office post
  141. prill, -i == April
  142. qendër, -a, -a == a center
  143. radio, -ja, - == a radio
  144. recital, -i, -e == a recital
  145. restorant, -i, -e == a restaurant
  146. reumatizëm, -mi, -ma == rheumatism
  147. i,e saktë == exact
  148. sandale == sandals
  149. sanduiç, -i, -ë == a sandwich
  150. sekret, -i, -e == a secret
  151. sekretar, -i, -ë == a secretary
  152. sekt, -i, -e == a sect
  153. semestër, -ri, -ra == a semester
  154. seminar, -i, -e == a seminar
  155. sezon, -i, -e == a season
  156. shkollë, -a, -a == a school
  157. shtet, -i, -e == a state, country
  158. simbolik, -e == symbolic, very cheap
  159. simptomë, -a, -a == a symptom
  160. sinjal, -i, -e == a signal
  161. i,e sinqertë == sincere
  162. situatë, -a, -a == a situation, condition
  163. social, -e == social
  164. solemn, -e == solemn, gala
  165. specifikë, -a, -a == a specific feature
  166. spektakël, -li, -le == a spectacle
  167. spektator, -i, -ë == a spectator
  168. spinaq, -i == spinach
  169. spital, -i, -e == a hospital
  170. sporadik, -e == sporadic
  171. statut, -i, -e == a statute
  172. sukses, -i, -e == success
  173. stomak, -u, -ë == a stomach
  174. stres, -i == stress
  175. studioj == to study
  176. taksi, -a, - == a taxi
  177. tekst, -i, -e == a text
  178. telefon, -i, -a == a telephone
  179. telefon celular == a cell phone
  180. tempull, -lli, -j == a temple
  181. transferim, -i, -e == a transfer
  182. turist, -i, -ë == a tourist
  183. turistik, -e == touristic
  184. vaksinë, -a, -a == a vaccine
  185. vanilje, -a == vanilla
  186. variant, -i, -e == a variant, variation
  187. vëllim, -i, -e == volume
  188. vitaminë, -a, -a == a vitamin
  189. vizitoj == to visit
  190. volejboll, -i == volleyball
  191. xhaketë, -a, -a == a jacket
  192. xhinse == jeans, denim
  193. zero == zero
  194. 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.