The position and the status of Albanian in the Presheva Valley
The position and the status of Albanian in the Presheva Valley

Summary/Abstract: The present paper aims at describing the position and the social status of the Albanian language in the two municipalities of south-western Serbia – Preshevo and Bujanovac, where the majority of the population is Albanian, and where the Albanian language, together with Serbian is the official language on the territory of these two municipalities. The status of Albanian is dealt with by giving evidence of legal sanctions and describing the practical situation, based on application of the laws in force. In order to reflect the status of Albanian in this region more precisely, other data, mainly deriving from a survey conducted with Albanian citizens from the two municipalities. In addition essays and anonymous questionnaires with high school students from these two municipalities have been used. The Albanian language in Preshevo Valley is sanctioned as an official language at the local level, with equal use, especially in the formal domains of life, but the practical need for using Serbian as a first language is obvious and results in intolerance towards Albanian. Regardless of the fact that it is sanctioned as an equal language to Serbian, in practice Albanian is a language of second rank.

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