Toskërishte · Standard Albanian basis
The southern Albanian dialect group, centred on Tirana and the south. The basis of the modern Albanian literary standard codified in 1972.
Gheg Albanian
Also known as: Gegërishte
The northern Albanian dialect group, spoken across northern Albania, Kosovo, and parts of North Macedonia and Montenegro. Distinguished by nasal vowels and the retention of older Albanian features.
Want a Gheg Albanian app?
Vote and we’ll prioritise it. Top-voted dialects move up the roadmap. One vote per email.
Frequently asked questions
What language is Gheg Albanian?
Gheg Albanian is a dialect of Albanian.
Where is Gheg Albanian spoken?
Gheg Albanian is primarily spoken in Kosovo, North Macedonia.
Which region is Gheg Albanian associated with?
Gheg Albanian is part of the Europe region on DialectAtlas.
Is Gheg Albanian known by other names?
Yes — Gheg Albanian is also referred to as Gegërishte.
What are the other dialects of Albanian?
Albanian also includes Tosk Albanian, Arbëresh. Each variety has its own vocabulary, pronunciation, and cultural context.
Other Albanian dialects
See on the atlas →Italo-Albanian
The Albanian variety of the Arbëreshë communities of southern Italy, descended from 15th-century settlers fleeing the Ottoman conquest. A medieval Tosk Albanian preserved through five centuries of relative isolation.