Interviews – Sociology of Language

What is a famous meal and dessert you and your family eat?

A famous meal eaten in my family is meat and burek. Our dessert is Baklava (a very sweet/sugary pastry) is eaten at all holidays and weddings.

What are some important Albanian traditions or customs still practiced today?

There are many famous traditions in Albanian culture most being celebrated during the time of marriage in order to show lifestyle. This means that when Albanians get married and/or engaged we have a “show” of gifts given to the bride from her family as well as her husbands to wish her a happy and successful life in her marriage.

How do Albanians celebrate major life events, such as weddings, births, or religious holidays?

We celebrate major life events such as weddings by throwing a big party with live singers and lots and lots of gifts, during these weddings some decide to perform our traditional dances to show our culture and appreciation for where we come from because depending on which part of Albania one is from each has their unique style of dances. However, births are celebrated when a baby is born in a close family, mainly the mother’s side of the family goes to the hospital and showers the mother with congregations as well as gifts for her new baby. Religious holidays for Albanians are all celebrated differently because Albania is not only one religion but a mix of all being Christian, Catholic, Jewish, and Muslim, however, all holidays are celebrated surrounded by family.

What role does folklore, such as songs, dances, or legends, play in Albanian culture?

The role that songs, folklore, dances, and legends play in the Albanian culture is the role of fighting for freedom from Turkey and Serbia. If one understands the translations of many many songs, especially old traditional songs, many are about breaking free and fighting for their land. In my culture we have a song that we consistently play in our celebrations such as marriage, the song was created as a way of expression for the people and all the harm that was being done to the song, the song expresses, “mountains of Diber don’t give it to the Turks”…. And goes on to express the love they have for the land and how they will not let anyone take it away from them and change its true culture.

What is your favorite Albanian tradition, and why?

My favorite Albanian tradition is when someone gets married the things that happen before and after is one big celebration to celebrate two people coming together to start a new life together surrounded by their family that showers them with love, support, and gifts to welcome the new bride into a new life and support the couple in a happy marriage.

Can you share about traditional Albanian clothing and its significance?

Traditional Albanian clothing varies due to where the person is from exactly in Albania. I enjoy seeing everyone’s differences in traditional clothing because although slightly different, very similar in representation. The clothing is worn to show history and not to lose the history and express how proud they are to be Albanian, all Albanians that wear this clothing wear it in honor of the culture.

Interviewing Lulejeta’s Mother.

Who/Where did you learn the language from?

I learned the language from my parents and in school since it is my native language.

When is the dialect more popular?

It depends on where you go, but our family and most people I know speak the dialect spoken in the northern areas like Shkoder.

Are there a lot of Macedonian loan words?

Do you write/read Albanian? Explain.

Yes. Since it is my native language I have an easier time writing and reading in Albanian than I do in English. Spelling in English is a little hard sometimes.
(Note: This is most likely due to the difference in sounds of the Albanian alphabet compared to the English alphabet. )

Would you teach your kids Albanian?

Your dad didn’t see the point in teaching it to you since you live in America but it would be nice if you could speak it fluently. In a way we still did, though. You understand it well enough.

Do you find your language to help you in your daily life?

It helps with communicating with family and friends but it can be a bit challenging when it comes to speaking in places where they only understand English.