g → k regressive glottalization b → p̌ p → p̌ g → ǩDissimilative deletion of consonant In some morphological contexts featuring two consonants n split only with a vowel, the former can be deleted. miqonun → miqoun (I have {an animate object}), iqvasinon → iqvasion (s/he will be), mulunan → *muluan → mulvan (they are coming). Another dissimilation, presumably sporadic, occurs in deǩiǩe → deiǩe (minute); note also that the Arabic source of this word دقيقة daqīqa contains a uvular , and as above uvulars are unstable in Laz. Intervocalic reduction of r This process is evidenced in the Khopa-Chkhala and Vitze-Arkabe dialects, where in intervocalic position facultatively r → y → ∅. Palatalization of velars In the Atina-Artasheni dialect, the velars followed by the front vowels e and i and the glide y transform to alveolar affricates:g → cǩ → ç̌k → ç Alphabet Laz is written in a Georgian script or in the Latin script (as used in Turkish, but with specific Laz extensions). Grammatical cases Laz has eight grammatical cases: nominative, ergative, dative, genitive, lative, ablative, instrumental and almost extinct adverbial. Example of adjective declension Example of noun declension Nouns As in other South Caucasian languages, Laz distinguishes two classes of nouns and classifies objects as: 'Intelligent' entities. Respective interrogative is mi? (who?) 'Non-intelligent' entities. Respective interrogative is mu? (what?) Noun classification scheme Numerals The Laz numerals are near identical to their Megrelian equivalents with minor phonetic differences. The number system is vigesimal like in Georgian. Cardinal numbers Almost all basic Laz cardinal numbers stem from the Proto-Kartvelian language, except ar(t) (one) and eči (twenty), which are reconstructed only for the Karto-Zan chronological level, having regular phonetical reflexes in Zan (Megrelo-Laz) and Georgian. The numeral šilya (thousand) is a Pontic Greek loanword and is more commonly used than original Laz vitoši. Laz cardinal numbers compared to Megrelian, Georgian and Svan Ordinal numbers Ordinal numbers in Laz are produced with the circumfix ma-...-a, which, in contrast with Megrelian, may be extended with suffix -n. The circumfix ma-...-a originates from Proto-Kartvelian and has regular phonetical equivalents in Georgian (me-...-e) and Svan (me-...-e) Ordinal numbers' derivation rule Laz ordinal numbers compared to Megrelian, Georgian and Svan Fractional numbers The fractional numbers' derivation rule in Laz and Megrelian is akin to Old Georgian and Svan. Fractional numbers' derivation rule Laz fractional numbers compared to Megrelian, Georgian and Svan Pronouns Personal