Gheg Albanian

The Gheg dialect (Albanian Gegërishtja fem, ) is one of two dialects of the Albanian language. The speakers of this dialect are called counter ( Alb. gegët ). Gheg is spoken in Northern Albania, Macedonia, Kosovo, Montenegro and southern Serbia. The limit for second dialect group, the Tosk is formed by the ancient Via Egnatia and thus runs roughly along the Shkumbin River and 41 degrees latitude. South of the river runs a transition zone 10-20 kilometers in width. Within the dialect group but in turn are considerable differences, particularly between the dialects of north-western Albania and Kosovo. Also the Gheg dialect in Macedonia is very different from the one in Albania and in Kosovo. Gheg and Tosk differ phonologically, grammatically and lexically.

Between the counter and Tosks there were also cultural and social differences. So former were organized in tribal units ( Alb. fis ), which were in turn grouped into clans and thus brought together the various landowners. The common law was at the counter marked than for Tosks. Your Kanun of Lekë Dukagjini took in social life a lot more important than with the Tosks.