The Kartvelian Language

The Kartvelian language family comprises the Georgian, Megrelian, Laz and Svan languages. They are spread throughout a large territory to the south of the Transcaucasian mountain range.

The fact that these languages are related was first noticed by 1. Guldenstedt in the 18th century and later proven by G. Rozen, M. Brosset, F. Bopp and others during the 1850's.

The common Kartvelian root-language disappeared more than 5 thousand years ago. The area of its dissemination is considered to be the territory of contemporary Georgia and parts of Turkey. It has been proven that the common Kartvelian root-language was related to common Semitic and common Indo-European root languages.

The Svan language is considered to have branched off from the common Kartvelian root-language earlier than the others, approximately 5 thousand years ago. After that, the unity of the Georgian and Zan languages dissolved a thousand years later, giving rise to the Georgian and Zan languages. The Zan language then split into Megrelian and Laz about 2 thousand years ago, although they have remained closely related since, and many linguists consider them to be dialects of the same language.

Georgian is the official language of the Republic of Georgia and is the only written language of the Kartvelian family. The oldest Georgian written works date back to the 4th century AD and all evidence strongly indicates that the written Georgian language existed here even before Georgia adopted Christianity as the official religion. Christianity served as a powerful incentive for the development of Georgian culture and literature in particular. This process was furthered by the existence of a written language with century-old traditions.

The Georgian language has several dialects. They are: Khevsurian, Mokhevian, Pshavian, Mtiulian, Tushian, Kartlian, Kakhetian, Meskhian, Javakhian, Ajarian, Imeretian, Gurulian, Rachian, and Lechkhumian. In addition, there are the Ingiloian dialect in the regions of Kakhi and Aliabad (Azerbaijan), and the Phereidanian dialect on the territory of Persia in the province of Ispbahan. There are also the Tao dialects and the recently identified Imerkhevian dialect in Turkey. Megrelian is spoken in western Georgia, in the northern part of Kolkhetian depression. It is further divided into two dialects: Senakian and Zugdid-Samurzokanoyan.

Laz is spoken along the narrow strip between the Black Sea and the mountains, from Sarpi (on the south-west boundary of the Republic of Georgia) up to Kemera (in Turkey). There are three dialects of Laz: Atmian, Vitso-Arkabian and Khopian.

Svan is spoken in the north-west of Georgia. The four dialects of the Svan language are Lower-Balian, Upper Balian, Lashkhian and Lenteldlian.

Investigation of the history and structure ofKartvelian languages has a long-term history. The Georgian scholars George and Ekvtime Mtatsmidelis, Eprem Mtsire, Joan Petritz, Arseny lkaltoely and others wrote substantial information about the structure and nature of the Georgian language in the 11 th and 12th centuries. The most important collection of Georgian grammatical material was gathered by S. S. Orbeliani (1658-1725), a prominent educator and scholar, whose comprehensive dictionary of the Georgian language is still regarded as the most authoritative. The first scientific grammar book was written by Anton I (1720-1781).

ln-depth research of the Georgian and Kartvelian languages began in the 19th century. Georgian and foreign linguists who have contributed to this research include M. Brosset, F. Bopp, N. Marr, A. Shanidze, G. Akhvlediani, G. Kipshidze, H. Schuckhardt, G. Deeters, H. Vogt, K. Dondua, V. Topuria, A. Chikobava, G. TsereteH,   G. Machavariani, T. Gudava,T. Gamkrelidze, K. H. Schmidt, G. Klimov, G. Dumezil, H. Fahnrich, 1. lmnaishvili, F. Neisser, V. Boeder, and others.

The Kartvelian languages are also taught outside of Georgia in Germany, France, Norway, Sweden, England, the USA, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Japan and Italy.

Zurab Sarjveladze

"Letter from Georgia"
N 1-2, 1995