The Language of Albanian Renaissance Poetry: A Reflection of National Ideals

The Albanian Renaissance is characterized by the development of a new ideology and culture under the influence of national enlightenment and democracy. The present paper aims to highlight the features of lexicon, style and word-formation in the poetry of the time. The paper focuses on the poetic works of two Albanian Renaissance writers: De Rada and Çajupi. Their poetic discourse gives evidence of a rich language full of expressive means and stylistic devices. The two poets, considered as pioneers of the laic poetry, concluded that because of the Turkish occupation the Albanian people did not have the opportunity to develop its own language and literature. According to De Rada and Çajupi the nation resurrection is connected with the resurrection of man, while its freedom with man’s mind, spiritual enrichment and moral perfection. In this viewpoint, the lyrical perspectives of De Rada and Çajupi expressed in their poems intend to mirror a new world of human feelings, the aspirations of the poets for emancipation and their poetic individuality and unique personality. These motives brought to Albanian poetry an innovation and artistic richness that had not been known before. De Rada and Çajupi are the classical examples of the poets who expressed the spirit of the people through a simple and direct language which remains expressive and fresh despite the passing of time.