User talk:Nemzag/Tosk-Gheg

Gheg (or Geg) is one of the two major dialects of the Albanian language. The other is Tosk, which is the main basis for the standard form of Albanian. The dividing line between these two dialects is the Shkumbin River, which winds its way through central Albania.

Gheg is spoken in Northern Albania, Kosovo, parts of the Republic of Macedonia, Turkey and Montenegro (Mali i Zi), and by the Albanians of southern Serbia (mostly the cities of Preševo, Bujanovac, and Medveđa), (Preshevë, Bujanovc, Medvegjë). It is also spoken in parts of Sicily and southern Italy.

Origin
The renowned Albanian author and politician Pashko Vasa in the 19th century argued that the origin of the word Gheg derives from the word Gjiant, Gegant, Gigand, Giant, referring to the verse found in the Homer's Iliad, "beyond the mountains of Akrokeronis, the land is inhabited by the Giants (Greek: ; Latin: GIGAS).

Subdialects
Gheg has several subdialects, notably:
 * Southern Gheg (Pogradec, Librazhd, Elbasan)
 * Central Gheg (Tiranë, Krujë, Burrel)
 * Northwestern Gheg (Shkodër, Vermosh, Selcë, Vukël, Lëpushë, Nikç, Tamarë, Ulqin, Tivar, Plavë, Gucia, Pejë, Gjakovë, Prizren)
 * Eastern Gheg (Peshkopi, Dibër, Tetovë, Gostivar, Veles, Prilepë)
 * Northeastern Gheg (Shkupi, Kumanova, Kaçanik, Sharri, Gjilani, Preshevë, Bujanovc)
 * Northern Gheg (Prishtinë, Mitrovicë), and former Albanian populated territories of Nish Sanjak (Nish, Vranjë, Toplicë).