Learning Albanian

From Wikistudy.ByJuho.fi
Revision as of 09:21, 18 August 2018 by Jukeboksi (talk | contribs) (→‎Mots d'emprunt pour francophones: + koleg, -u, -ë == un collègue == a colleague)

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'

Albanian has quite a few verbs that end in 'j'


Class 2 verbs - end in a consonant

Albanian verbs - Class 2 - ending in a consonant.png


Class 3 verbs - end in a vowel

Albanian verbs - Class 3 - ending in a vowel.png


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

Albanian verbs - Class 4 - three verbs ending in 'i'.png


Class 5 verbs - irregular verbs


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

Albanian verbs - Class 6 - verbs ending in '(h)em'.png


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. klient, -i, -ë == un client == a client
  49. koleg, -u, -ë == un collègue == a colleague
  50. kuadër, -ri, -ro == un cadre == frame, setting
  51. kurs, -i, -e == un course == rate, course
  52. kuzhinë, -a, -a == une cuisine == a kitchen
  53. lahutë, -a, -a == un luth == a lute
  54. legjendë, -a, -a == une légende == a legend
  55. librari, -a, - == une librarie == a bookstore
  56. linjë, -a, -a == une ligne == a line
  57. madhësti -a == une majesté == a majesty
  58. maj, -i == maj == May
  59. mandarinë, -a, -a == une mandarine == a mandarin
  60. mars, -i == mars == March
  61. më == me == me, to me (attn. më can be a number of other things to in sentences)
  62. meny, -ja, - == un menu == a menu
  63. menyrë, -a, -a == une manière == manner, way
  64. mesazh -i, -e == un message == a message
  65. miliard, -i, -ë == un milliard == a billion
  66. milion, -i, ë == un million == a million
  67. modë, -a == une mode == fashion
  68. mur, -i, -e == un mur == a wall
  69. muzë, -u - == un musée == a museum
  70. natyrë, -a == une nature == a nature
  71. oriz, -i == riz == rice
  72. paketë, -a, -a == un paquet == a package
  73. park, -u, -qe == un parc == a park
  74. pasion, -i, -e == une passion == a passion
  75. peizazh, -i, -e == un paysage == a scenery
  76. periudhë, -a, -a == une période == a period, time
  77. person, -i, -a == une personne == a person
  78. personalitet, -i, -e == une personnalité == a personality
  79. përqindje, -a, -e == un pourcentage == a percentage
  80. pishinë, -a, -a == une piscine == a swimming pool
  81. pistë, -a, -a == une piste == lane, floor
  82. pjesë, -a, -e == une pièce == a piece
  83. plazh, -i, -e == une plage == a beach
  84. portë, -a, -a == une porte == a gate
  85. pozicion, -i, -e == une position == a position
  86. prezantim == présentation == presentation
  87. principatë, -a, -a == une principauté == a principality, princedom
  88. prozë, -a, -a == une prose == a prose
  89. pulë, -a, -a == un poulet == a chicken
  90. qershi, -a, - == une cerise == a cherry
  91. qiell, -lli, -j == le ciel == the sky.
  92. recepsioniste, -ja, -e == une réceptionniste == a receptionist (fem.)
  93. rezultat, -i, -e == un résultat == a result
  94. rigon, -i == origan == oregano
  95. rol, -i, -e == un rôle == a role
  96. roman, -i, -e == un roman == a novel
  97. sallë, -a, -a == une salle == lobby, auditorium, room
  98. sandale, -ja, -e == une sandale == a sandal
  99. seri, -a, - == une série == a series
  100. shans, -i, -e == une chance == a chance
  101. shef, -i, -a == le chef == a chef, a chief, a boss
  102. shifër, -ra, -ra == un chiffre == a figure, cipher
  103. shofer, -i, -ë == un chauffeur == a driver
  104. shurup, -i, -e == un sirop == a syrup
  105. sistem, -i, -ë == un système == a system
  106. strateg, -u, -ë == un stratège == a strategist
  107. strategjik, -e == stratégique == strategic
  108. studio, -ja, - == un studio == a studio
  109. supë, -a, -a == une soupe == a soup
  110. suvenir, -i, -e == un souvenir == a souvenir
  111. tabelë, -a, -a == une table == (black)board
  112. tarracë, -a, -a == une terrasse == a terrace
  113. teatër, -ri, -ro - un théâtre - a theatre
  114. teatralë, -e == théâtral == theatrical
  115. teknik, -e == technique == technical
  116. teknologji, -a, - == une technologie == a technology
  117. temperaturë, -a, -a == une température == a temperature
  118. transfertë, -a, -a == un transfert == a transfer, transaction
  119. i,e trishtuar - triste - sad
  120. temë, -a, -a == un thème == a theme, topic
  121. tension, -i == une tension (artérielle) == blood pressure
  122. traditë, -a, -a == une tradition == a tradition
  123. trupë, -a, -a == une troupe == a troupe, company, band
  124. universitet, -i, -e == une université == an university
  125. valixhe, -ja, -e == une valise == a suitcase, baggage
  126. vegjetal, -e == végétal == vegetable (adj.)
  127. verandë, -a, -a == une véranda == a terrace, veranda
  128. vitrinë, -a, -a == une vitrine == a shop window
  129. vizë, -a, -a == un visa == a visa
  130. vizitë, -a, -a == une visite == a visit
  131. vizitor, -i, -ë == un visiteur == a visitor
  132. 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. klime, -a, -a == un clima == a climate
  29. krap,- i, krep == una carpa == a carp
  30. klimë, -a, -a == un clima == a climate
  31. libër, -ri, -ra == un libro == a book
  32. limon, -i, -ë == un limone == a lemon
  33. makinë, -a, -a == una macchina == a car
  34. mit, -i, -e == un mito == a myth
  35. mobilje, -a, -e == un mobile == furniture
  36. nip, -i, -a == un nipote == a cousin
  37. orë, -a, -ë == un'ora == an hour (or a clock)
  38. origjinë, -a, -a == un'orignine == an origin
  39. pacient, -i, -ë == un paziente == a patient (male)
  40. paqe, -ja == pace == peace
  41. papagall, -lli, -j == un pappagallo == a parrot
  42. pantallona, -t == un pantalone == pants
  43. patate, -ja, -e == una patata == a potato
  44. patatinë, -a, -a == patatine == potato chips
  45. peshk, -u, peshq == un pesce == a fish
  46. peshkatar, -i, -ë == un pescatore == a fisherman
  47. për == per == for, about
  48. peshë, -a, -a == peso == weight
  49. picë, -a, -a == una pizza == a pizza
  50. pikant, -i, -ë == piccante == spicy
  51. piktor, -i, -ë == un pittore == a painter
  52. pjatë, -a, -a == un piatto == a plate, a dish, a course (food)
  53. proshutë, -a, -a == un prosciutto == a ham (also means bacon)
  54. salcë, -ë, -a == una salsa == a sauce
  55. salsiçise, -ja, -e == una salsiccia == a sausage
  56. sallatë, -a, -a == un'insalata == a salad
  57. siguri, -a, - == una sicurezza == a security
  58. skuadër, -ra, -ra == una squadra == a team
  59. stilograf, -i, -ë == una penna stilografica == a fountain pen
  60. tendencë, -a, -a == una tendenza == a tendency, trend
  61. titull, -lli, -j == un titolo == a title
  62. tortë, -a, -a == una torta == a cake
  63. tradicional, -e == tradizionale == traditional
  64. tren, -i, -a == un treno == a train
  65. vazo, -ja, - == un vaso == a vaze
  66. 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. kilogram, -i, -ë == a kilogram
  121. kilometër, -ri, -ra == a kilometer
  122. kivi == a kiwi (fruit)
  123. klinikë, -a, -a == a clinic
  124. klub, -i, -e == a club
  125. kopjoj == to copy
  126. kupë, -a, -a == a cup
  127. letër, -ra, -ra == a letter, a card
  128. lider == a leader
  129. menaxher, -i, -ë == a manager
  130. mineral == mineral
  131. muzikë, -a == music
  132. oksigjen, -i, -e == oxygen
  133. pako, -ja, - == a pack, packet, parcel
  134. park, -ku, -qe == a park
  135. periudhë, -a, -a == a period
  136. ping-pong == ping-pong, table tennis
  137. piper, -i == pepper (table spice)
  138. pjek == to bake
  139. plan, -i, -e == a plan
  140. poet, -i, -ë == a poet
  141. polifoni, -a, - == a polyphony
  142. popullor, -e == popular
  143. porcelan, -i == porcelain
  144. postë, -a, -a == mail, post office post
  145. prill, -i == April
  146. qendër, -a, -a == a center
  147. radio, -ja, - == a radio
  148. recital, -i, -e == a recital
  149. restorant, -i, -e == a restaurant
  150. reumatizëm, -mi, -ma == rheumatism
  151. i,e saktë == exact
  152. sandale == sandals
  153. sanduiç, -i, -ë == a sandwich
  154. sekret, -i, -e == a secret
  155. sekretar, -i, -ë == a secretary
  156. sekt, -i, -e == a sect
  157. semestër, -ri, -ra == a semester
  158. seminar, -i, -e == a seminar
  159. sezon, -i, -e == a season
  160. shkollë, -a, -a == a school
  161. shtet, -i, -e == a state, country
  162. simbolik, -e == symbolic, very cheap
  163. simptomë, -a, -a == a symptom
  164. sinjal, -i, -e == a signal
  165. i,e sinqertë == sincere
  166. situatë, -a, -a == a situation, condition
  167. social, -e == social
  168. solemn, -e == solemn, gala
  169. specifikë, -a, -a == a specific feature
  170. spektakël, -li, -le == a spectacle
  171. spektator, -i, -ë == a spectator
  172. spinaq, -i == spinach
  173. spital, -i, -e == a hospital
  174. sporadik, -e == sporadic
  175. statut, -i, -e == a statute
  176. sukses, -i, -e == success
  177. stomak, -u, -ë == a stomach
  178. stres, -i == stress
  179. studioj == to study
  180. taksi, -a, - == a taxi
  181. tekst, -i, -e == a text
  182. telefon, -i, -a == a telephone
  183. telefon celular == a cell phone
  184. tempull, -lli, -j == a temple
  185. transferim, -i, -e == a transfer
  186. turist, -i, -ë == a tourist
  187. turistik, -e == touristic
  188. vaksinë, -a, -a == a vaccine
  189. vanilje, -a == vanilla
  190. variant, -i, -e == a variant, variation
  191. vëllim, -i, -e == volume
  192. vitaminë, -a, -a == a vitamin
  193. vizitoj == to visit
  194. volejboll, -i == volleyball
  195. xhaketë, -a, -a == a jacket
  196. xhinse == jeans, denim
  197. zero == zero
  198. 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.