Academician Bahri Beci has passed away at the age of 86. Born in Shkodër in 1936, he was a distinguished personality of the Academy of Sciences of Albania and an external member of the Academy of Sciences and Arts of Kosovo. During his career, academician Beci stood out for his rich activity in several fields of historical and contemporary Albanian linguistics for more than six decades.

The Academy of Sciences of Albania has appreciated his outstanding contribution in the field of dialectology, phonetics, grammar, the history of the Albanian language and its status in the Balkan linguistic connection.

“He is the author of dozens of monographic and research works in the field of dialectology, phonetics, grammar, the path of the formation of unified Albanian, the history of the Albanian language and its status in the Balkan linguistic connection” – it is stated in the announcement of Academy of Sciences.

After completing his university studies in 1958, Beci was appointed a scientific researcher at the Institute of Linguistics and Literature and has performed important management tasks, including responsibility for the sector and the direction of scientific projects, as well as the role of scientific secretary and director.

He also did advanced studies in Paris. Then, returning to Tirana allowed him to complete his first-degree dissertation on the topic “Central Georgian dialects” and his second-degree dissertation with the study “Northwestern Albanian dialects and the phonetic system of the Shkodra dialect”.