In the first half of the 17th century, it was called the Mountain of Galija. In Bicaj, it is heard in the form of G(j)alliçë, where G(j) phonetically likely represents an intermediate phase of the G : GJ shift, something between G and GJ. The people of Tropoja refer to it as Galica. In Has, it is called Galliçja. In Serbia, it is called Gallaiç. While the Torbeshi people of Gora call it Gallaiç and Gallaçec, and in the Albanian Encyclopedic Dictionary, it is referred to as Gjallica of Luma. Today, the people of Kukës pronounce it as Gjalica. Regarding the etymology of this name, two different opinions have been expressed by various scholars. According to the first opinion, it has a Slavic origin, while the second (popular etymology) suggests it is of native origin and is connected to the Albanian words gjallë (alive), gjallesë (living being), gjallërim (vitality), jetë (life), etc.
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