Discover the Hidden World of Georgia's Indigenous Languages
Did you know that around
six million people
in the world today speak one of the
Kartvelian languages
- a remarkable linguistic family found almost entirely within Georgia?
In this captivating and accessible study,
Merab Chukhua
takes readers on a journey through the
Kartvelian linguistic landscape
, introducing the languages and dialects that form the foundation of Georgia's identity:
Georgian, Laz-Megrelian, and Svan
. These are not borrowed tongues, but
indigenous languages of Georgia
, evolving for millennia amid the mountains and valleys of the Caucasus.
A Living Connection Between Past and Present
At the heart of this family stands
Georgian
, the
state language
of our country - preserved in ancient literary texts and inscriptions that bear witness to centuries of written culture. But the story doesn't end there.
The Georgian alphabet, a symbol of national unity, also served another fascinating role: from 1930 to 1938, it was used to print Megrelian-language newspapers and periodicals in Samegrelo, during a brief but significant period when Megrelian enjoyed a measure of cultural autonomy.
Meanwhile, a similar phenomenon unfolded in the Abkhazian region, where the
Laz language
had its own flourishing moment between 1927 and 1937. Today, the Laz-speaking community in Turkey continues to keep their language alive, using a Latin alphabet adapted for contemporary Laz - a testament to the resilience of Kartvelian languages beyond Georgia's borders.
A New Look at a Timeless Heritage
In
The Kartvelian Languages
, Chukhua presents this
diverse linguistic world
with clarity, warmth, and scholarly precision. The book brings to light
numerous aspects of Kartvelian linguistics from a fresh perspective
, shedding new insight on the evolution, interconnection, and cultural significance of these languages.
Written in a
scientific-popular style
, the book is
accessible to both specialists and general readers
, offering depth for linguists while remaining engaging for anyone fascinated by language, culture, or history.
Why You'll Love This Book:
It reveals how Georgia's languages grew, intertwined, and survived through centuries of change.
It connects language to identity, geography, and culture in an inspiring way.
It's compact, informative, and beautifully written - perfect for curious minds who want to understand Georgia at its roots.