Kartvelian languages
A primary language family indigenous to the South Caucasus.
The Kartvelian languages, also known as South Caucasian or Kartvelic languages, are a language family indigenous to the South Caucasus and spoken primarily in Georgia. They are not related to any other language family in the world, making them one of the primary language families. The family consists of four closely related languages: Svan, Georgian, Mingrelian, and Laz, with Georgian being the most widely spoken and the only literary language in the family.
- language_family
- Kartvelian (South Caucasian)
- primary_location
- South Caucasus, primarily Georgia
- total_speakers
- Approximately 5 million (Georgian alone)
- official_language
- Georgian is the official language of Georgia
- classification
- Primary language family, no proven relation to others
Lore & Background
Rosen, Marie-Félicité Brosset, Franz Bopp, and others during the 1840s. The family includes Svan, Georgian, Mingrelian, and Laz. Georgian is the official language of Georgia, spoken by 90% of the population, and is written with an original and distinctive alphabet. The earliest written source is an Old Georgian inscription dated to c.
Reader's Guide
The Kartvelian languages are significant as a primary language family with no demonstrated relationship to any other language family, including Northwest Caucasian or Northeast Caucasian. They are indigenous to the South Caucasus and have a long written tradition, with Georgian serving as the literary and official language of Georgia. The languages exhibit complex grammatical features, including verb systems that can indicate up to three grammatical persons and a mixture of nominative-accusative and active alignment. The status of Judaeo-Georgian as a separate language is debated among scholars. Mingrelian has historically been a spoken, regional language, and printing in it is controversial. Laz is endangered as its speakers shift to Turkish.
Did You Know?
- The Kartvelian language family is not related to any other language family in the world.
- Mingrelian has historically been only a spoken, regional language, with no known written grammar books or dictionaries until the late 19th century.
- Laz is endangered as its speakers are shifting to Turkish.
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