Algorithmic financial trading with deep convolutional neural networks: Time series to image conversion approach


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LIFE CONTRIBUTION OF ACADEMIC PROF. DR. GJOVALIN SHKURTAJ  

TO THE ALBANIAN LANGUAGE UNIVERSITY TEXTS 

 

Prof. Ass. Flamur SHALA 
 

Prizren “UKSHIN HOTI” University, Faculty of Philology, flamur.shala@uni-prizren.com 

 

 

Article info          A b s t r a c t 
 

  

Article history: 

Accepted 1 December 2018 

Available online 31 December 2018 

 
 

Keywords:  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 
1. Literature review of Dr. Gjovalin 

Shkurtaj contribution to Albanian 

language 
 

The work of Prof. Gjovalin Shkurtajt is of a research type dealing 

with research and studies in the field of linguistics, pedagogical, 

which has to do with the application of pedagogical textbook 

methods as a prerequisite of effective teaching, university 

teaching, which has to do with higher education texts in 

linguistics, and academic, which is related to texts of a high 

theoretical and scientific level which responds to the elaborated 

scientific requirements in the field of linguistics. His studies in 

the field of linguistics have left indelible traces that will be 

followed as an example of the vital contribution to Albanian 

language and culture. A legacy for all those who will be dealing 

with language studies and not just them, textbooks and university 

textbooks of Prof. Gjovalin Shkurtaj are a synthesis of language 

knowledge devoted to pupils and students dependent on the level 

of education. 

Prof. Shkurtaj is known as a dialectologist and researcher of 

language culture issues, including academic writing. He is also a 

researcher of sociolinguistics issues. He has been dealing with 

Albanian onomastic for many years. In recent years, he has been 

devoted to the problems of language-society relations, deepening 

in the phenomenon of the ethnography of the spoken Albanian. 

Albanian language, one of the most advanced fields of Albanian 

science, is shaped out into science and knowledge thanks to the 

contribution and study of prominent linguists who had one 

purpose: Unifying and enriching the Albanian literary language. 

Prof. Gjovalin Shkurtaj for five decades worked hard for this 

Contribution, texts, university, sociolinguistics, 

language culture, academic writing. 

This paper includes the contribution of prof. Gjovalin Shkurtaj to the Albanian language university textbooks, who 

is known as a dialectologist and a researcher of language culture issues, sociolinguistics and Albanian onomastics. 

This paper also covers his contribution to the collection of the dialectal Albanian language to better understand the 

spoken Albanian language system: in phonetics, morphology, syntax and in its lexicon. Gjovalin Shkurtaj is well-

known for writing university textbooks such as "Sociolinguistics", "Dialectology", "Language Culture", "How to 

write Albanian", which are related to: 

 

Dialectological studies, one of the basic requirements to achieve standardization and enrichment of the Albanian 

literary language; 

Sociolinguistic studies, based on the study of language in relation to society; 

Language culture, based on the standardized language norm as an issue of today's sociolinguistics; 

Academic writing, based on language culture and using literary norms accurately.  



 

 64 

purpose, so that the use of standardized Albanian language 

extends not only for scientific and academic purposes, but also to 

be popularly used by masses.  

The basic requirements and principles for achieving the 

unification of the Albanian standardized language were the 

collection and arrangement of dialectical data of the Albanian 

language, in order to better understand the entire phonological, 

morphological, syntactic, and lexical system of the spoken 

Albanian. Scientific research and publishing activity of Professor 

Gjovalin Shkurtaj is vast and goes to several hundred titles of 

studies, publications and scientific articles as well as textbooks 

and university textbooks. 

His contribution is in the development of university textbooks 

such as "Dialectology" (2003), "Sociolinguistics of Albanian-

from Dialectology to Speech Ethnography" (co-author with Jorgji 

Gjinarin, 2009), "Culture of Language" (2006) "How to Write 

Albanian-Academic Writing Basics" (last 2017), and so on. 

Given the methodological-scientific aspect and the didactic-

pedagogical purpose of the university textbooks, among other 

things, we find in these texts some of the study aspects, which 

relate to: 

• The knowledge of Albanian dialects, dialectical 

researches and dialectical studies of Albanian dialects, 

sub-dialects, folk groups, dialects of the Arberesh 

diaspora and of other diasporas dissociated from the 

Balkan Albanian trunk. 

• Sociolinguistic studies as a requirement for language 

study in relation to society. 

• Language culture as a high degree of knowledge of 

language and the use of literary language. 

• The academic writing that is high-level writing of an 

analytical text or synthesis. 

 

 

1. The Albanian language data are presented to highlight the 

linguistic structure within the spoken language system 

everywhere the Albanian language is spoken, as one of the basic 

requirements and principles to reach the basic system of unity and 

enrichment of the Albanian literary language. Professor Gjovalin 

Shkurtaj has put this premise in front of himself, that a 

standardized Albanian should be based on dialect variants, based 

on the actual state of spoken Albanian and in the tradition of 

written Albanian. 

The university textbook Dialectology (2003) is a systematic 

summary of knowledge based on studies of Albanian dialects, 

groups, sub-dialects, including the Arberesh-Albanian Diaspora, 

summarized and sorted materials according to a methodological 

and scientific, and didactical and pedagogical textbook. As in 

other previous books by Jorgji Gjinari (1963 to 1988) with the 

same subject which wanted to provide knowledge for the same 

subject, according to the respective high school programs, and as 

the authors themselves claim "this version varies not a little the 

former ones" (Gjinari-Shkurtaj, 2002, p. 7.), gives us a new 

situation of dialectology according to recent studies. This 

university book, from the informational point of view, has 

fulfilled the program requirements of the subject of dialectology, 

breaking down and simultaneously synthesizing all dialectal 

material with general theoretical explanations and concrete data 

on dialects, sub-dialects, spoken form groups and Albanian 

language spoken forms.  

Albanian dialectology as a science is summarized in this book 

with theoretical and concrete data according to dialectal 

distribution. This course shows the factors that influence the 

creation of dialectal divisions to make it easier to define the 

differences and similarities between dialects, the sub-dialects, 

and the spoken forms.  

Studies of the folks like: Kastrati (Shkurtaj, "Philological 

Studies", 1967, no. 2-3.), Hoti (Shkurtaj, "D. Sh.", 1971, voll. II.), 

Kelmendi (Shkurtaj, "D. Sh", 1975, vol. III.), Mbishkodra 

(Shkurtaj, E folmja e Rranxave të Mbishkodrës, "D. Sh", 1982, 

vol. IV.) and Lezha`s (Shkurtaj, "Philological Studies", 1981 and 

1984.) spoken forms, all monograph of the author Gjovalin 

Shkurtaj, as well as dozens of works for the language of the 

Arbëresh of Italy, such as: Notes to the Arbëresh language of St-

Marcanos (Shkurtaj, "St. fil", 1979, no. 4.), Notes to Arbëreshë 

language of Mrseduza (Shkurtaj, "St. për A. Xhuvani", 1986.), 

The verbal system of Arberesh language in the province of 

Kozenca (Shkurtaj, "St. fil.", 1975, no. 2.), etc., reflect the studies 

on the Albanian language of the northern sub-dialect of gege , as 

well as of Arbëresh of Italy language of the most original 

Arbëresh settlements. The monographs and scientific articles of 

the language studies and language system in both Albanian 

dialects became the basis of the dialectology text, it`s compilation 

and elaboration of the subject with the didactical and pedagogical 

methods of planning a university text such as this. 

Dialectology is a textbook that gives an insight into the dialectical 

division and proximity of the Albanian language, based on 



 

 65 

spoken forms, to the distinctive and common features of the two 

Albanian language protagonist dialects. Thus, dialectology marks 

the beginnings of sociolinguistic studies. The real language 

situation in the different spoken forms of Albanian, presented, 

collected and systematized by the linguistic material, is the 

"modeled" realistic state of the verified "representative" 

individual of a territory. Along with others, the individual 

provides language-based material and further promotes the study 

of the common features and individual differences of speakers to 

develop linguistic conformity from individualism. Conformism 

means the individual sociolinguistic modeling of the individual, 

from experience and by listening to the others. Dialectology is 

already assisted by sociolinguistics (Shkurtaj, 2009, p. 194). The 

impact of "conformism" has a natural impact in community 

reports between the speaker and the social community. 

2. The link between language, culture of language and culture of 

society (Sapir, 1980, p. 235, 236.) is the relation between the 

speakers and the social community. Speaker-community relations 

have a "normative character" (Rrokaj, 2010, p. 222.) of 

community practices, which are imposed to the individual will of 

the speaker. These remind us that language by being collective 

and outside of the individual it becomes its own in the dimensions 

of "conformism", in a nutshell the adaptation of the individual's 

language to his collective linguistic experiences. 

Speaker-community reports emerge on the basis of the main 

units, "base of dialectal or generally linguistic scale" (Shkurtaj, 

2009, p. 197.), ranging from tribe, province, people, nation, and 

state. Professor Shkurtaj sees the discourse as a part of the 

socially-deciphered behavior (Shkurtaj 2009, p. 18.) defined in 

sociolinguistics. Social behavior changes and over time changes 

the language towards "unity". Social change has an impact on 

language (Martine, 1983, p. 224.) and is a consequence of 

changing linguistic individuality to each and every one from 

generation to generation. This change is influenced by social 

development. Thus, the individual language differences go hand 

in hand. These differences are found everywhere with the 

tendency that "conformism" will model and sculpt them. It is 

precisely the social, economic, cultural and educational 

development that marks a success on the development of this 

"conformism" with the tendency towards linguistic unification of 

the smaller units to the larger ones to the national language 

standard. 

Dialectology marks a series of realization of the general 

investigation of all dialectal areas of Albanian "within Balkan 

land and in many parts of the Arberesh diaspora" (Gjinari- 

Shkurtaj, 2002, p. 8.), described by almost all linguistic aspects 

of the Albanian system, in particular of dialectal Albanian. In the 

other hand sociolinguistics except for the fact that is related to 

dialectology, elaborates lingual ``individualism`` and 

``conformism``, linguistic influences and differences, language 

inequality and prejudice, the social nature of language, and 

"speaking as a signal of social identity." (Hudson, 2002, p. 121). 

The Albanian language is very rich in various segments of 

communication. The language of the various vital activities for 

society has been built over the time. This communication has its 

own characteristics in the field of lexicon, phraseology, 

toponymy and language in general as a communication tool with 

which deals sociolinguistics. Changes in phonology, in grammar 

and lexis between "dialects" are linked to different language 

functions and new language status (Ismajli, 2003, p.19.). 

Professor Shkurtaj does not ignore the standardization of 

language as a general problem of today's sociolinguistics, he deals 

with it by breaking the "process" from regional varieties into 

national standard language as a nation's objective orientation 

(Shkurtaj, 2009, p. 156, 157.). Standardized language is seen as a 

problem of sociolinguistics by many linguistics, they base their 

opinion on sociolinguistic and psycholinguistic parameters 

(Paҫarizi, 2011.). 

While Dialectology deals with the linguistic description of the 

current linguistic situation in dialects, Sociolinguistics marks 

more linguistic individuality to linguistic conformation according 

to a sociolinguistic development of speakers and communities in 

the real language world where speech as interaction is of a social 

nature. Prof. Shkurtaj entitled his book” Sociolinguistics of 

Albanian - from dialectology to spoken ethnography”, which 

from the didactic-pedagogical point of view of a text discusses 

the subject from where the dialectology ends and continues with 

the sociolinguistic treatment of the individual's linguistic 

development "and the way how individualism (and individuality) 

and conformism (or solidarity) appear in the discourse" (Shkurtaj, 

2009, p.  195.). This "is understood only in the context of an 

analysis that goes from the speaker to the community of speakers 

where he/one is involved" (Shkurtaj, 2009, p. 195). 

Linguistic diversity aspects intertwine with each other, they 

interact by being modified and altered, which means you cannot 

define a closed circle of areas of the application of sociolinguistic, 

says Prof. Gjovalin Shkurtaj, by referring to eight study areas of 

sociolinguistics. These study fields (Shkurtaj, 2009, p. 49.) such 

as historical ethnolinguistics, historical semantics, sociology of 

language, sociolinguistics, sociology of knowledge, diachronic 

sociolinguistics, synchronic sociolinguistics and didactic-

pedagogical aspects of sociolinguistics are interrelated as long as 



 

 66 

sociolinguistics considers all aspects to reach its objectives. 

Furthermore, the relationship between the fields of study is 

mentioned by Duckrot-Todorov; he adds: "the existence of two 

separate entities takes place in discourse and society, and it is 

studied one through another" (Dykro- Todorov, 1984, f. 94.).  

With the interconnection between the basic units of dialectical 

hierarchy such as neighbourhood, tribe, people, nation, and state, 

and if analyzed from the dialectical point of view, we deal with a 

dialectical hierarchy such as speech, folk groups, sub-dialects, 

dialects, and a unified literary language. The latter, the literary 

language, is related to the general social development of linguistic 

emancipation and language culture, on which lies the standard 

language, namely the spelling of the Albanian language.  

 

The didactic-pedagogical aspect of sociolinguistics, according to 

the Latin saying, as mentioned by Prof. Gjovalin Shkurtaj: "uses 

norma loquendi" means "the norm of the language is its usage” 

(Shkurtaj, 2009, p. 58.); learning to use language in a speech 

situation includes linguistic individuality towards conformism 

and modeling use of language as a social convention. 

 

3. Language culture marks a level of progress, use, and 

institutionalization of the standard language. The scale of use 

marks the level of language culture of its users, especially 

students, teachers, artists, public administration employees, 

television, radio, etc. The use of language, according to spelling 

rules as an institutional, university, official and state need is 

applied by an "idealized native speaker" (Shkurtaj, 2009, p. 58.).  

Besides learning and increase the degree of language culture, 

according to him we need scientific, sociolinguistic and didactic-

pedagogical course interconnection. Language Culture itself with 

its essential elements of learning and using the linguistic standard 

analyzes and summarizes aspects of language development, 

based on the relation between individual-language-society.  

The unified literary language is the highest degree of writing 

spoken and written language, language culture, and knowledge of 

the sociolinguistic development of language-society relations. 

Thus, the use of language according to the academic text writing 

rules represents a high degree of learning and language culture, 

which require skills and individual interest. 

The ''Language Culture'' book, according to the author's own 

preface, includes general aspects of language that are needed by 

students, teachers, speakers in public, radio, and television 

(Shkurtaj, 2006, p. 9.). The literary norm, as one of the elements 

of language culture, implies sociolinguistic knowledge of the 

development of equality and "conformism" in language, as well 

as the degree of competence and linguistic communication of the 

speakers. Language culture covers the literary norm, correct 

language use, spelling errors, as well as the importance of the 

right use of language as the best indicator of the knowledge level 

of the user. There is no use of standard language without a high 

level of language culture, which implies university language 

knowledge.  

In line with the previous programs and current program of the 

Albanian Language and Literature (Raporti i vetëvlerësimit, 

Universiteti i Prizrenit, 2017.), Language Culture leads and is 

followed by How to write Albanian (Academic Writing) to 

continue with Dialectology and Sociolinguistics. According to the 

program list, including other basic courses such as Phonetics, 

Morphology, Syntax, and Lexicology, it is considered that 

students with pre-knowledge of language will gain new 

knowledge of language system and its function.  

This course measures the general knowledge of standard 

Albanian, consistently updates the unified language, Albanian 

literary norm, and the spelling rules of writing words. It is 

essential that this course examines the principles of language 

spelling, including principles such as phonetic, morphological, 

lexical-meaning, and historical-traditional. Almost, these four 

principles regulate the spelling of the words in the Albanian 

language. From the didactic-pedagogical point of view, written 

discourse, norm, text, and in line with the functions of the 

language, there is another book titled How to write Albanian 

(Academic Writing) written by Professor Gjovalin Shkurtaj.   

  

4. Academic writing means writing at the highest level, either 

analytically or synthetically, creating a planned text based on 

prior knowledge, and doing research by accurately using the 

literary norm. This course is helpful to students because it 

increases the level of knowledge on how to write a text, applying 

the writing techniques, on a paper, and for scientific purposes.  

The didactic-pedagogical aspect of linking these university 

textbooks to the courses of the curriculum is supplemented with 

the course of academic writing summarized in the book How to 

write Albanian (Academic Writing). 

Fulfilling a student's knowledge of written language, using and 

applying writing techniques of a text with a certain theme, implies 

the implementation of a program-related to other courses, 

according to the curriculum planning of language learning. 



 

 67 

Writing these course-related textbooks requires scientific 

knowledge; the methodological and didactic-pedagogical part of 

their design is the main part of the synthesis of knowledge 

addressed by these books dedicated to students and more.  

Besides books for scientific research nature, monographs, 

articles, publications and other texts, there are also four university 

books that are used as the first literature courses: Dialectology, 

Sociolinguistics, Language Culture and How to write Albanian 

(Academic Writing). These books are useful for learning and 

understanding language formation. From the pedagogical point 

of view, these courses fulfill the program requirements for the 

linguistic and scientific formation of students.  

Knowledge of dialects and language-society relations, based on 

social change and linguistic "conformism", completes knowledge 

of the language culture and use of language in spoken and written 

discourse. 

 

Conclusion and Suggestions  

The contribution of Acad. Prof. Dr. Gjovalin Shkurtaj in 

academic textbooks of the Albanian language is a sublimation of 

scientific, pedagogical, university and academic commitment. 

Known as a dialectologist and researcher of sociolinguistics and 

language culture, Albanian onomastics as well, he has also 

devoted himself to the problems of language-society relations, 

mostly focused on the phenomenon of the Albanian speaking 

ethnography.  

The contribution of Acad. Gjovalin Shkurtaj is found in 

university textbooks such as "Sociolinguistics", "Dialectology" 

(co-author), "Language Culture", "How to write Albanian" and so 

on.In these texts, we can distinguish three study aspects of the 

Albanian language. Dialectal studies are one of the basic 

requirements and principles for understanding the system and 

structure of the Albanian language. To better understand the 

entire spoken Albanian system, in phonetics, morphology, 

syntax, and in its lexis, his collection of the dialectical data of the 

Albanian language helped in the unification of the Albanian 

literary language. His opinion is that the unified literary Albanian 

should have been done on the tradition of the written Albanian 

language, dialect variants, referring to the real state of the 

Albanian language. 

Sociolinguistic studies as a requirement for language study in 

relation to society, language relations, and culture of society 

highlight the interconnection of the standard language as a 

general problem of today's sociolinguistics. Sociolinguistic 

studies still help to analyze the "process" from regional varieties 

into the national language, as a nation's objective. 

The Language Culture as a university course derives from the 

requirement for language learning use based on the literary norm 

and the need to avoid mistakes that might happen during the 

written or spoken language. 

The basics of academic writing imply a high level of expression 

of written opinion; rely on prior knowledge of the language, 

language culture, and the proper use of the literary norm, thus as 

a necessary course for students. Academic writing enhances the 

level of knowledge of how to write a text, how to write a scientific 

paper, in line with the academic writing techniques. This 

university textbook marks the contribution of Acad. Prof. Dr. 

Gjovalin Shkurtaj to the Albanian language and culture. 

 

 

References 

 

1. Dykro, O. - Todorov, C., Encyclopedic Dictionary of 

the Sciences of Language, Prishtinë, 1984. 

2. Gjinari, J. - Shkurtaj, Gj., Dialektologjia 

(Dialectology), Tiranë, 2003. 

3. Hudson, R., Sociolinguistics, Tiranë, 2002. 

4. Ismajli, R., Standarde dhe indentitete (Standards and 

Identities), Dukagjini, Peja, 2003. 

5. Kosovo Accreditation Agency, Self -Evaluation 

Report, Albanian Language and Literature Program, 

University of Prizren, 2017. 

6. Martine, A., Elements of General Linguistics, 

Prishtinë, 1983 

7. Paqarizi, Rr., Shqipja standarde në parametrat 

psikolinguistikë" (Standard Albanian on 

psycholinguistic parameters), Prishtinë, 2011. 

8. Rrokaj, Sh., Filozofia e Gjuhës (Philosophy of 

Language), Tirana, 2010 

9. Sapir, E., Language: An Introduction to the Study of 

Speech, Prishtinë, 1980. 

10. Shkurtaj, Gj., E folmja e Hotit, në "D. Sh.", 1971, Vol. 

II. E folmja e Kastratit, "Philological Studies ", 1967, 

E folmja e Kelmendit, në "D. Sh", 1975, Vol. III, E 

folmja e qytetit të Lezhës, published in "Philological 

Studies " 1981 and 1984, E folmja e Rranxave të 

Mbishkodës, in "D. Sh", 1982, Vol. IV. 

11. Shkurtaj, Gj., Kultura e gjuhës (Language Culture), 

Tiranë, 2006. 

12. Shkurtaj, Gj., Si të shkruajmë shqip - Baza të shkrimit 

akademik(How to write Albanian-Acadmic Writing), 



 

 68 

Tiranë, 2017. 

13. Shkurtaj, Gj., Sistemi foljor i të folmeve arbëreshe të 

krahinës së Kozencës, published in "Philological 

Studies", 1975, Shënime për të folmen arbëreshe të 

Shën-Marcanos, published in "Philological Studies", 

1979, Shënime për të folmen arbëreshe të Mrçeduzës, 

published in "Studime për nder të A. Xhuvanit", 

Tiranë, 1986. 

14. Shkurtaj, Gj., Sociolinguistika e shqipes - nga 

dialektologjia te etnografia e të folurit 

(Sociolinguistics of the Albanian Language: From 

Dialectology to Ethnography of Speaking), Tiranë, 

2009. 

15. Simonini, A., La sociolinguistika, Calderini, 1976. 

 


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