Tosk Albanian

The Toskische (Albanian Toskërishtja ) is one of two dialects of the Albanian language. The speakers of this dialect called Tosks ( Alb. toskët ). The limit for second dialect group, the Gegischen is formed by the 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. Thus, it is spoken in all of southern Albania and the Albanians in Greece Tosk. Even the Albanian Arbëresh in southern Italy is part of the Tosk dialect group. Tosk is spoken in western Macedonia only in some villages along the Ohrid and Prespa. Gheg and Tosk differ phonologically, lexically and grammatically. Within the Tosk dialect group, in turn, there are significant differences.

Based on the Tosk Albanian written language was developed in 1972. In vocabulary and word formation, however, contain numerous elements Gheg dialect.

In addition to language differences existed between the Tosk and Gegischen also cultural and social differences. The Tosks did not own land and therefore had to work for their landlords. Since the conquest of Albania by the Ottomans, the Tosks turned away from the system of tribal alliances, to replace it by a social organization based on a village. While the Tosks the Kanun ( common law ) had a low priority, you disregarded it in at the counter of great importance.