The Short-Term Scientific Mission (STSM) at the University of Innsbruck, held from March 16 to March 22, 2025, focused on refining the comparative analysis of German and Italian neologisms in the Albanian language. Led by Prof. Assoc. Dr. Manjola Zacellari Lumani and Dr. Rossella Resi, the research examines how these loanwords have been adapted and integrated into Albanian across three regions: Albania, Kosovo, and North Macedonia. The study aims to understand regional variations in the adaptation of these terms, with a particular focus on phonological, morphological, and semantic shifts influenced by migration patterns and cultural exchange. During the STSM, Zacellari and Resi examined how terms from German and Italian were transformed in Albanian, considering phonological adaptations and shifts in meaning within different regions. Through discussions, they gained valuable insights into how these terms evolved and shaped local language use. One of the key achievements of the STSM was refining the understanding of how German and Italian neologisms were integrated into Albanian, especially with regard to phonetic, semantic, and grammatical changes. The team’s efforts also allowed for cross-regional comparisons, revealing differences in the way these neologisms were adapted in Albania, Kosovo, and North Macedonia. A comprehensive publication detailing the research findings will be submitted by this year. These efforts will contribute to the broader goals of the ENEOLI project, which focuses on documenting lexical innovations across European languages, and will provide important insights into the processes of neologism adaptation and language contact.

Dr. Rossella Resi and Prof. Assoc. Dr. Manjola Zacellari