Slavic Population in Albania

Slavic Population in Albania
Cover of the 1931 edition
AuthorAfanasiy Selishchev
Original titleСлавянское население в Албании
LanguageRussian
GenreLinguistics, History, Ethnography
PublisherMacedonian Scientific Institute
Publication date1931
Publication placeSofia, Bulgaria
Pages352

Slavic Population in Albania (Russian: Славянское население в Албании) is a fundamental scholarly work by the Russian linguist Afanasiy Selishchev, published in Sofia in 1931 by the Macedonian Scientific Institute. The book is considered a pioneering study on Slavic toponymy and the historical presence of Slavs in modern-day Albania.

Overview

The work is the result of Selishchev's extensive research into Balkan linguistics and history. The main focus areas of the book include:

  • Toponymy: A detailed analysis of hundreds of local names (villages, rivers, mountains) with Slavic origins in Central and Southern Albania.
  • Ethnography: Descriptions of the customs, folklore, and material culture of the region.
  • Linguistics: An investigation into the mutual influences between the Albanian language and Slavic dialects.

Selishchev identified the Slavic etymology of numerous important settlements, including Pogradec, Korçë (from Goritsa), Çorovodë (from Cherna voda), Berat (from Belgrad), Belsh, Librazhd, and Konispol (from Konopishte).

Significance

In his study, Selishchev classified the Slavic dialects in these regions as part of the Bulgarian linguistic group, aligning with the scientific positions of the Macedonian Scientific Institute at the time.[1] The book remains an indispensable source for Albanology, Balkan studies, and Slavic studies regarding the medieval history and demography of the region.[2]

The work has been widely cited by international scholars for its comprehensive analysis of Balkan linguistic contacts.[3] Despite the historical and political context of its publication, Selishchev's toponymic reconstructions are still regarded as highly accurate and scientifically valuable by modern linguists.[4]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Selishchev, Afanasy (1931). Славянское население в Албании (in Russian). Sofia: Macedonian Scientific Institute. pp. 15–31.
  2. ↑ "A. M. Selishchev and his contribution to Slavic toponymy in Albania". Books for Macedonia. Retrieved 2 May 2026.
  3. ↑ Mladenov, Stefan (1931). "Review of "Slavic Population in Albania"". Macedonian Review. 7 (1): 123–128.
  4. ↑ Demiraj, Shaban (2006). The Origin of the Albanians: Linguistically Investigated. Academy of Sciences of Albania. pp. 142–145.
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