ProtoAlbanian

Proto-Albanian is the hypothetical ancestral language of the Albanian language, reconstructed by the comparative method from Albanian dialects and related Balkan data. It is not directly attested in any written records; the earliest Albanian texts date from the 15th century CE, so knowledge of Proto-Albanian rests on reconstruction and indirect evidence.

Classification and debates: Proto-Albanian is considered the progenitor of all modern Albanian varieties, which today form a distinct branch of the Indo-European family. Its precise relationship to neighboring Balkan languages is debated. Some scholars have proposed a link to the Illyrian languages of the western Balkans, while others view Proto-Albanian as part of a broader Balkan linguistic continuum with substantial substrate influence. Because there are no direct PA texts, researchers rely on internal Albanian correspondences and the pattern of loans in surrounding languages.

Dating and homeland: Most reconstructions place Proto-Albanian in the late Bronze Age or early Iron Age Balkans, with diversification into regional varieties that later gave rise to the distinct Albanian dialects. The timeline is approximate and varies among scholars, reflecting ongoing uncertainties about early Balkan history and population movements.

Evidence and features: The reconstruction draws on systematic sound correspondences between Albanian and other Indo-European languages, as well as internal Albanian morphology and lexicon. PA is thought to have possessed a conservative core inherited from PIE, along with language-specific innovations. Because of Balkan contact, later Albanian features—such as certain areal traits—are thought to reflect post-PA development rather than PA itself.

Current status: Proto-Albanian remains a subject of active scholarly debate. Key questions concern its exact location, time frame, and its relation to Illyrian or other Balkan languages, all shaped by limited direct evidence and reliance on later Albanian forms.