Përcaktues

Përcaktues is the term used in Albanian grammar for the class of words that accompany a noun to signal reference, definiteness, possession, or quantity. In linguistic terms, it is often translated as “determiner.” The Albanian determiner system combines a postposed definite article with a set of independent determiners that precede or accompany the noun.

In Albanian, the main subtypes of përcaktues include:

- The definite article formed by a suffix on the noun: for example, libër becomes libri, indicating a definite, specific book.

- Demonstratives: ky (this), kjo (this, feminine), ai (that), ajo (that, feminine), which occur before the noun (or with it) to indicate proximity or distance.

- Possessive determiners: forms such as im, yt, i tij, e saj, which express possession and typically align with the noun phrase.

- Numerals and quantifiers used as determiners: numbers and certain quantifiers precede the noun to indicate quantity.

- The indefinite article: një is used to mark indefiniteness, as in një libër “a book” or “one book.”

Function and usage:

Përcaktues restrict or specify the reference of the noun within a context. They convey definiteness or proximity, indicate possession, or express quantity. The definite article in Albanian is often bound to the noun as a suffix, while demonstratives, possessives, and numerals typically appear as separate elements in the noun phrase. Adjective placement and noun phrase order are influenced by the determiner type, but the determiner system is central to signaling referential meaning in Albanian.

See also: Albanian grammar, definiteness, demonstratives, possessives, numerals.