A Transfer of Language and Culture: German Bread and Pastries and Their Names in Kosovo

Abstract This article examines the linguistic and cultural influence of German bread culture in Kosovo, where bread holds significant meaning as a symbol of hospitality and community. The introduction of German bread products, driven by migration and economic changes, has transformed Kosovar “bread habits”. The Buka and Premium bakeries have played a crucial role in promoting German bread names and products, capitalising on their perceived prestige and association with healthy eating trends. The article researches German–Albanian relations and shows that there is intensive interaction especially in the area of food. This connection, along with the legacy of its former status as part of Yugoslavia, migration, and the presence of German-speaking institutions in Kosovo, highlights the role of bread as a culinary, language, and cultural link. Using the methodological lens of language and cultural transfer, the study demonstrates the significant influence of German bread culture on Kosovo’s bread-making practices and food culture.