Linguistic variation within the Northwestern Gheg Albanian dialect

In previous literature and linguistics analysis, the Northwestern Gheg Albanian dialect is classified as one zone that encompasses area of northwestern Albania southwestern Montenegro (B. Demiraj 1997: 40, Gjinari 1989: 54-8, Mëniku 2008: vii., Shkurtaj 2016: 26). The assumed to form a single subdialect; however, evidence from various levels linguistic analysis discussed in this paper challenges assumption. Malsia Madhe exhibits different phonological, syntactic, lexical patterns than Shkodër. southernmost point subdialect Lezhë, which also has its own set distinct idiosyncratic differences. This provides an overview main differences between areas Madhe, Shkodër, all typically grouped subdialect. includes evaluation grammatical, semantic, three Gheg. Finally, it offers diachronic view how contributes history language’s development Proto-Albanian Proto-Indo-European.