Linguist Ledi Shamku told Euronews Albania that the majority of emigrants, mainly African ones that go to live in Hore, a region in Sicily that is home to Arberesh Albanians, speak the ancient Arberesh language.

According to her, the reason for this is the prominent influence of the language in this area, which is fanatically protected by the Arberesh peoples.

The way it has been restored until now is linked to living in very closed circumstances. Shamku told Euronews Albania that the Arberesh don’t mix when it comes to marriage and they usually never emigrate and leave their hometowns.

With the advent of free movement and migration however, the number of active speakers has gone down, which means that the young Arberesh understand the language but don’t speak it. The linguist thus proposed that we need to at least record and save the voices of the older Arberesh, who speak the language fluently so that the future generations can learn the exact pronunciation of their mother tongue.

It is precisely our main homeland, Albania, that needs to make it possible for Arberesh to learn and restore their language, said Shamku.

“It isn’t necessary for them to know who we are – what’s essential is for us to get to know them,” – she said.

According to the linguist, the best way is through music, films, cartoons and other endeavors of this nature by which we will force communication and relationships amongst the Arberesh, especially those living far from home.