Volume 15, issue 2

Introduction

This volume of in esse: English Studies in Albania collects papers from four different subject areas, grouped into four sections in this issue: Children’s Literature, Comparative Literature, Linguistics, and British Studies. This issue of in esse also includes a book review.

The first section, Children’s Literature, contains one contribution, “The influence of translations from British children’s literature on the development of children’s literature in Albania,” by Rudina Alimerko, University of Vlora “Ismail Qemali,” Albania, and Astrit Bishqemi, researcher and writer. In this article, the authors look at the impact of translations from British children’s literature into Albanian and how these translations have played a role in the intellectual, emotional, and aesthetic development of young Albanian readers. The article focuses specifically on past and present classics of British literature, such as Robinson Crusoe, Gulliver’s Travels, Mary Poppins, Peter Pan, and The Happy Prince, or the more recent Harry Potter saga, to reflect on how their translation(s) into Albanian have aided in their introduction of universal themes such as imagination, friendship, and the love of justice to Albanian readers. The article emphasises the role of translators in maintaining the works’ artistic integrity and enhancing their cultural significance and relevance for Albanian youth.

The second section, Comparative Literature, has one article, “The fallen woman: A comparative study of Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the d’Urbervilles and Petro Marko’s The Last City,” written by Enkelejda Malaj from the University of Tirana and Etjona Hoxha from the University of Vlora “Ismail Qemali.” In this article, the authors tackle the concept of the fallen woman in two different novels, Thomas Hardy’s open exoneration of Tess in Tess of the d’Urbervilles and Petro Marko’s Qyteti i Fundit (The Last City), both of which portray female protagonists from a naturalistic and humanistic approach. oth Hardy’s exoneration of Tess and Marko’s portrayal of Ana Maria Monti, an emotionally wounded Italian prostitute, justify their tragic lives while challenging societal ethical expectations and moral standards. The authors compare these novels, looking into their protagonists’ tragic lives and pointing out shared perspectives by their writers, to better understand their portrayals and society’s responsibility for their tragic end.

Two articles, both focusing on loanwords, with particular emphasis on Anglicisms, comprise the third section, Linguistics: “Anglicisms in the Albanian language: Integration, influence and language preservation,” written by Arjan Shumeli, from the Agricultural University of Tirana, Albania, Artur Jaupaj, from the European University of Tirana, Albania, and Merita Isaraj, from “Eqrem Çabej” University of Gjirokastër, Albania, and “The integration of loanwords into Albanian: A study of users’ spelling preferences,” written by Teuta Toska and Jonida Cungu from the University of Elbasan “Aleksandër Xhuvani,” Albania.

In their article, Shumeli, Jaupaj, and Isaraj discuss the integration of Anglicism into Albanian, paying particular attention to its historical and sociolinguistic impact as reflected in their domains of usage. They examine the integration of English loanwords, or Anglicisms, into the Albanian language, focusing on their historical evolution, usage, and sociolinguistic impact. The article situates Albanian within the Indo-European language family and identifies two major waves of Anglicism assimilation: the post-World War II era and the post-1990 socio-political transition. It then categorises Anglicisms based on their infiltration into technology, business, sports, and media and analyses their adaptation to Albanian phonological and morphological structures. It also evaluates the level of acceptance of Anglicisms, drawing on data from dictionaries, media, and daily communication. The authors raise concerns about their impact on linguistic identity, taking into consideration the growing media and social trends in their usage. The study recommends balancing linguistic adaptation with preservation.

In the second article, Toska and Cungu look into the spelling choices Albanian users make when using loanwords, particularly Anglicisms. Albanian is not immune to the phenomenon of incorporating foreign loanwords, mainly Anglicisms. However, when Albanian speakers use these words in written form, they often lack interest in the scientific criteria applying to their spelling. The orthographic rules of the Albanian language have not adequately addressed phonetic principles for the correct spelling of foreign words. In this article, the authors seek to identify and analyse foreign words that deviate from the language’s phonetic spelling principles for correct pronunciation and orthographic representation. The structural differences between foreign and Albanian words lead to different responses from speakers and users seeking rules for pronunciation and writing. The study uses quantitative data to examine speakers’ choices and attitudes towards the spelling of loanwords. Results indicate that the phonetic principle of Albanian orthography is not dominant, and users often prefer writing foreign words according to their original spelling rather than phonetic spelling.

 In the fourth section, British Studies, Oljana Hoxhaj and Belinda Halilaj from the University of Vlora “Ismail Qemali,” Albania, contribute with an article titled “The legal and social impact of British immigration legislation: A post-Brexit analysis” that focuses on the evolution and social impact of British immigration legislation, focusing on the transformative changes following Brexit. The authors look at how the legal framework has been shaped by the new socio-economic and cultural landscape, with a particular focus on legislative documents and major legal reforms from the post-World War II era to the present. The main aim is to examine the complex impacts of post-Brexit immigration reforms on the UK’s labour market, public services, and social cohesion. The end of free movement and the expansion of the points-based system have altered migration patterns, with a decline in EU nationals and a rise in non-EU migration affecting sectors like healthcare, manufacturing, and hospitality. The article highlights immigrants’ contributions to addressing skill shortages, fostering innovation, and supporting public finances in the UK, while identifying ongoing challenges related to legal complexity, integration barriers, and access to services. The authors also make some recommendations for future immigration provisions to enhance flexibility, reduce bureaucratic obstacles, and promote inclusive integration strategies.

The last section, Book Review, contains a review of Florian Andrei Vlad’s book, Challenging Identities: From Theory to Literary Discourse, written by Iulia Bangheorghe, an independent researcher. The review praises the book as a comprehensive exploration of the concept of identity, its place within society, and how much of it is under our direct control. It begins with humanism, which led to a science-driven culture divided into classes based on financial resources, race, gender, and sexuality. This stratification, sustained by patriarchy, bred dissatisfaction and complexes, later explored by psychoanalysts. The book uses the perspectives of Freud, Jung, Lyotard, and Lacan to build upon Freud’s model. It contrasts individual and group identity, showing how they form under societal conditions and how we are products of everything we absorb and define us. The book also explores trauma, exploring both macro-level (the Holocaust) and micro-level (with the individual) through works by Plath, Morrison, Vonnegut, and Heller. The literary dimension strengthens the study, offering a subjective view of identity and the power of being defined in the hands of the individual.

We are thankful to all the contributors for sharing their ideas and perspectives with us in this edition of in esse. We extend our sincere gratitude to our reviewers for the laborious process they went through in selecting and evaluating the papers that are included in this collection.

                     Armela Panajoti, general editor 

The influence of translations from British children’s literature on the development of children’s literature in Albania 

Rudina ALIMERKO, University of Vlora “Ismail Qemali,” Albania

Astrit BISHQEMI, Researcher and writer

email: rudina.alimerko@univlora.edu.al

Abstract

In this article, we seek to explore the significant influence of translations from British children’s literature on the development of children’s literature in Albania intellectual, emotional, and aesthetic growth of young Albanian readers. Through historical analysis that traces British children’s literature from the eighteenth century to the present, we examine how classic British works, such as Robinson Crusoe, Gulliver’s Travels, Mary Poppins, Peter Pan, and The Happy Prince that reflect universal themes such as imagination, friendship, and the love of justice have been introduced through translation to Albanian readers. The study underlines the vital role of translators in adapting these texts to preserve artistic quality and ensure cultural relevance for Albanian young readers. The findings also show that these translations have contributed to the moral and cultural education of young people, fostering in them a broader worldview. In this article, we emphasise the importance of translation as a cultural bridge that enriches national literary traditions and nurtures reading among younger generations.

Keywords: British children’s literature, Albanian children’s literature, translations

The fallen woman: A comparative study of Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the d’Urbervilles and Petro Marko’s The Last City

Enkelejda MALAJ, University of Tirana, Albania

Etjona HOXHA, University of Vlora “Ismail Qemali”, Albania

email: enkelejda_malaj.doktorantfgjh@unitir.edu.al

Abstract

The concept of the fallen woman, as old as humanity itself, remains an eternally provocative subject. It has been the focus of numerous literary works throughout history and across various cultures, with authors embracing varied attitudes towards their female protagonists, influenced by historical, social, and cultural backgrounds. Thomas Hardy’s open exoneration of Tess in Tess of the d’Urbervilles is rooted in his naturalistic and humanistic approach, finding fault with the hostility of natural forces and social environment while portraying the female figure from a favourable and justifiable standpoint. A similar compassionate and humanistic approach is noticeable in the banned socialist realism novel Qyteti i Fundit (The Last City), authored by the well-known Albanian writer Petro Marko. Ana Maria Monti is the chaste and emotionally wounded Italian prostitute who captures the attention and affection of a young Albanian communist, contrary to his ideological convictions. This paper will comparatively look into these seemingly unrelatable novels, examining the female protagonists and their tragic lives, highlighting some of the common perspectives of Hardy and Marko, which led both authors to justify the socially perceived fall from grace of Tess Durbeyfield and Ana Maria Monti, challenging societal ethical expectations and moral standards, and blaming society for their tragic end. 

Keywords: Thomas Hardy, Petro Marko, the fallen woman, literary naturalism, humanism, realism

Anglicisms in the Albanian language: Integration, influence and language preservation

Arjan SHUMELI, Agricultural University of Tirana, Albania

Artur JAUPAJ, European University of Tirana, Albania

Merita ISARAJ, “Eqrem Çabej” University of Gjirokastër, Albania

email: ashumeli@ubt.edu.al 

Abstract

This study analyses the integration and influence of English loanwords, or Anglicisms, in the Albanian language, with a focus on their historical evolution, domains of usage, and sociolinguistic impact. It begins by situating Albanian within the Indo-European language family, embedding the discussion within the larger historical context of influences from Latin, Greek, Slavic, and Turkish. The study identifies two major waves of the assimilation of Anglicisms: the post-World War II era and the post-1990 socio-political transition following the collapse of communism. Anglicisms are categorised based on their infiltration into domains such as technology, business, sports, and media, while their adaptation to Albanian phonological and morphological structures is also analysed. The study also evaluates the level of acceptance of Anglicisms, drawing on data from dictionaries, media, and daily communication. While Anglicisms enrich the Albanian lexicon, concerns arise regarding their impact on linguistic identity, particularly as media and social trends contribute to their usage. The study emphasises the need to balance linguistic adaptation with preservation by encouraging the use of Albanian equivalents where possible and standardising essential loanwords.  

Keywords: loanwords, Albanian language, Anglicisms, acceptance, rejection

The integration of loanwords into Albanian: A study of users’ spelling

Teuta TOSKA, Jonida CUNGU, University of Elbasan “Aleksandër Xhuvani,” Albania

email: Jonida.Cungu@uniel.edu.al

Abstract

Contemporary Albanian is increasingly introducing foreign loanwords, mainly Anglicisms, which enter the language as concepts or terms used in various discourse contexts. Speakers often lack interest in the scientific criteria that should govern the use of loanwords, instead opting for their phonetic or orthographic form as they encounter or perceive them. The orthographic rules of the Albanian language have not adequately addressed issues related to the phonetic principles necessary for the correct spelling of foreign words. The aim of this paper is to identify and analyse a selection of foreign words that have been integrated into the Albanian language that deviate from the language’s phonetic spelling principles for the correct pronunciation and orthographic representation of these words. The structural differences between foreign and Albanian words illicit different responses from speakers and users, who seek rules or principles for their correct pronunciation and writing. Using quantitative data collected through a questionnaire administered to two distinct groups of participants, this study looks into the speakers’ attitude, or better language choices, regarding the spelling of loanwords. The findings indicate that that the phonetic principle of Albanian orthography is not dominant; instead, users often prefer to write foreign words according to their original spelling rather than their phonetic pronunciation.

Keywords: Anglicisms, phonetic principle, orthography, original spelling

The legal and social impact of British immigration legislation: A post-Brexit analysis

Oljana HOXHAJ, Belinda HALILAJ, University of Vlora “Ismail Qemali,” Albania

email: oljana.hoxhaj@univlora.edu.al

Abstract

In this article, we present an analysis of the evolution and current implications of British immigration legislation, with particular emphasis on the transformative legal changes following Brexit. The aim is to look at how this legal framework has been shaped by the new socio-economic and cultural landscape. Embedding the analysis within a historical perspective, from the post-World War II era to the present, we outline key legislative documents and major legal reforms to situate these legal developments within the broader socio-political and economic contexts that have shaped immigration policy. We then look into the complex impacts of post-Brexit immigration reforms on the UK’s labour market, public services, and social cohesion, arguing how the end of free movement and the expansion of the points-based system have altered migration patterns, with a decline in EU nationals and a rise in non-EU migration affecting key sectors such as healthcare, manufacturing, and hospitality. Drawing on recent empirical data, we seek to point out immigrants’ invaluable contributions to addressing skill shortages, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, and supporting public finances, while also identifying ongoing challenges related to legal complexity, integration barriers, and access to services. We also offer some recommendations for future immigration provisions aimed at enhancing flexibility, reducing bureaucratic obstacles, and promoting inclusive integration strategies that work towards a balanced approach that aligns economic needs with humanitarian commitments and social equity in the UK’s evolving larger context.  

Keywords: immigration, legislation, framework, social integration, economic landscape

Review of Florian Andrei Vlad’s Challenging Identities: From Theory to Literary Discourse. Bucharest: Editura Universitara, 2022 (280pp.)

Iulia BANGHEORGHE, Independent researcher

Abstract 

Challenging Identities: From Theory to Literary Discourse explores identity and its role in society. It discusses humanism, societal stratification, and the impact of patriarchy. The book uses Freud, Jung, Lyotard, and Lacan's perspectives to contrast individual and group identity, highlighting the societal conditions and the impact of trauma. The literary dimension adds a subjective view of identity.