Albanian language is a very particular language within the Indo-European family of languages. Like Greek and Armenian, it stands as a separate language on its own and does not belong to any other linguistic group of families. It is precisely because of its complicity that for quite a long time scholars had difficulties as where to track its origin from either the Illyrian language or Daco-Thracian languages. Due to the thorough research, convincing arguments and examples, presented by the German philologist Franz Bopp to the scholarly world in 1854, today it is a well-known fact that Albanian Language is one of the oldest languages on the Indo-European Family and its only origin is from Illyrian language.  

Even though Albanian is as old as Greek, sadly the first written piece of literary work dates to 1555. This significant national document is the Meshari (The Missal) by GjonBuzuku. Nevertheless, there are other earlier written evidences about Albanian language, such as a Latin report of the Archbishop of Antivari who in 1332 writes that Albanians used Latin letters to write their language, but their language was not Latin. Another significant example is found in the formula of  baptism, written in a Latin text in Albanian by Pal Engjëlli, Bishop of Durrës, in 1462 “Un te paghesont pre menit Atit et Birit et Spertit Senit”. 

Today, the most famous Albanian writer is Ismail Kadare who has gained worldwide recognition for his contribution in the modern literature and has been nominated several times for the Nobel Prize in Literature.

But for now and in honor of Monty Python we shall give you a few useful words and phrases:

Hello = Tungjatjeta

Please = Ju lutem

Thank You = Faleminderit

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