მოგესალმებით! Dear linguistic fellow, welcome to <humbleness alert> the best guide to learning Georgian! </humbleness alert> Are you ready to embark on a journey to discover one of the world’s most unique and beautiful languages?
Georgian is the official language of the Southeastern state of the USA, which… kidding 😹 Okay, cough cough, now seriously.
… the official language of the country of Georgia, located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. Its rich history, culture, and traditions make it a fascinating language to learn, and its unique alphabet and otherwordly sounds set it apart from any other.
It’s been a late discovery for me, but without a doubt, learning Georgian is more exciting than Money Heist. 🤩
Whether you fell in love with a Georgian person, you adore travelling far and wide, you’re eager to wine-taste in Tbilisi or get rich in Batumi, this guide will provide you with the tools and resources you need to start speaking Georgian with confidence. And if you’re merely curious, I’ll still provide enough to entertain. 😎
So, let’s get started!
Where is Georgian spoken?
Well well, guess where 😉 indeed, in Georgia, in the northeast of the Caucasus range, where bits of the West located in the Middle East starts blending with Asia.
If you have an atlas, take it out from the shelf and have a look at it. If you don’t, well:
- Buy one (no offence, Google Maps); 🗺️
- meanwhile, know that Georgia is bordered by Turkey to the southwest, Russia to the north, Azerbaijan to the southeast and Armenia to the south. No shores on the Caspian Sea but abundant ⎯ and lively ⎯ coast on the Black Sea.
Georgians like to say that they got this land from God. “Official versions” aside, it was told to me by Georgians this way: when portions of Earth were distributed by the Almighty to countless nations, Georgians were late because they were drinking wine and feasting. So when all lands were already given out, God gave them the piece of land he was keeping for himself. 😌
This curious myth exemplifies three things:
- The regard Georgians have for their motherland;
- the beauty of the place.
- Georgians are party animals. 🥳
Back to the language, Georgian is indeed Georgia’s official and it is spoken by approximately 3.7 million people worldwide. Besides there, Georgian-speaking communities are present also in other countries, including Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, Iran, Azerbaijan, and Greece.
Who speaks Georgian, other than Georgians?
Sadly, not many outsiders learn the language, and historically it hasn’t been a lingua franca. So, apart from a few exceptions and the foreign communities traditionally settled in the country (most notably, Russians, Ukrainians, Azeris, Armenians), the vast majority of Georgian speakers are ethnic Georgians.
And who are the Georgians? Well well (rubbing hands)…
The Georgian people have a long and rich history that dates back many thousands of years. Their exact origins are not known, but it is believed that the region has been inhabited by various indigenous peoples for thousands of years: some of the earliest human settlements in the region date back to the Paleolithic period, around 40,000 years ago.
Over the centuries, various civilizations and empires have risen and fallen in the Georgian-speaking regions, including the ancient kingdoms of Colchis and Iberia, and later the Persian, Roman, and Byzantine empires.
The Georgian people have maintained their unique culture and language throughout this long history, despite being conquered and ruled by a series of foreign powers. Otherwise, we could not be able to taste khinkali (ხინკალი) nowadays, which would be terrifying.
Is the Georgian language then as ancient as its people?
We can say so 🙂
For one thing, it is a Kartvelian language with roots thousands of years into the Caucasus. The Georgian alphabet was created in the 4th century AD, with the earliest written records dating back to the 5th century AD. Allow me to show you this beauty:
Over time, the Georgian language has evolved, absorbed much from Greek, Persian and Russian, but ultimately developed its own unique characteristics.
We can identify a few phases in the evolution of the Georgian language. Bear with me, it won’t get too nerdy 😉
Old Georgian (4th to 11th centuries AD): This period is characterized by the earliest written records of Georgian, including the creation of the alphabet, as said above. During this time, the language was used in religious, literary works, and administrative documents.
Middle Georgian (12th to 17th centuries): This period saw the development of a more standardized form of language and the establishment of a literary tradition. During this time, Georgian literature flourished, and many notable works were produced, including poems, hymns, and historical chronicles.
Modern Georgian (18th century to present day): This period marks the transition from Middle Georgian to the Modern Georgian language. During this time, the Georgian language was influenced by Russian, as well as by European and classical literary traditions. This period also saw the development of a normalized form of language, which is still in use today.
At this point, if you’re like me, you’d ask: wait a moment, tell me more about the alphabet, please!
How is Georgian written?
Georgian is written in its unique alphabet, known as Mkhedruli. It’s the most recent script, out of the main three. Shall we see them briefly?
Asomtavruli is the oldest style of the Georgian alphabet, and it dates back to the 5th century AD. It was originally used for religious texts and inscriptions, and it has a highly stylized and ornate appearance. Asomtavruli is still used today in certain religious contexts, such as the headings of church books.
Nuskhuri is a later version of the Georgian alphabet, which was developed in the 9th century AD. It was used for secular texts, such as legal documents, and it has a simpler and more angular appearance than Asomtavruli. Nuskhuri is also still in use, such as the inscriptions on gravestones.
Mkhedruli is the most commonly used style of the Georgian alphabet today, and it has been in use since the 11th century AD. It is a more cursive and flowing style than the other two, and it is used for everyday writing and printing. Mkhedruli is the standard style of the Georgian alphabet used in modern-day Georgia, and it is the style that is taught in schools and used in official documents.
Mkhedruli, Nushkuri or Asomtavruli, the Georgian script lends itself soooo well for tattoos that I don’t get why I’m seeing around just Arabic and Chinese being used. 🧐
It consists of 33 letters, including 7 vowels and 26 consonants, and is written from left to right. The distinctive curved and peculiar ornamental shapes make it, in technical terms, supercool.
Despite having changed and evolved over the centuries, its basic form has remained relatively unchanged, as you can see. And just as unchanged is the appreciation Georgians show for their writing system.
Fun fact: Armenians jokingly state that their own alphabet’s creator, the clergy Mesrop Mashtots, after his geometric chef-d’oeuvre got cheerful, so he drank to celebrate, and once tipsy, he worked on the Asomtavruli, and that’s why it’s all curved. 🤪
Butttt okay, jokes aside, what are the most peculiar facets of this language? (rubbing hands again).
A few quirks of the Georgian language
#1 Inflection: Georgian has a rich system of inflexion, with a number of grammatical cases (seven, each with its own ending and usage), moods, and tenses, making it a complex language to learn – albeit beautiful.
#2 Polypersonal agreement: verbs must agree in person with all of their arguments, meaning that the verb must indicate the number of subjects and objects in a sentence. This way, with a single verb you can provide information about the whole sentence.
#3 Postpositions: Georgian uses postpositions rather than prepositions, which are words that come after the noun they modify. Allow me a bit of a nerdier explanation.
A postposition is a type of grammatical particle that is placed after a noun or pronoun to indicate the noun’s relationship to another element in a sentence. In Georgian, postpositions are used to indicate a wide range of grammatical relationships, including location, direction, possession and time. For instance, the postposition “საქართველოში” (sakartveloshi) means “in Georgia,” and the postposition “წინ” (ts’in) means “in front of.”
#4 Multiple noun classes: a complex system of noun classes, which is based on the final consonant of the noun. Nouns are classified into one of ten different classes based on this feature, and the class of the noun determines the form of various elements of the sentence, such as adjectives and pronouns.
#5 Aspirated consonants: Georgian has a number of aspirated consonants, which are pronounced with a burst of air, making them different from their non-aspirated counterparts. That is, perhaps, the most noticeable feature of spoken Georgian, alongside the next point.
#6 Ejective consonants: those made by a sudden release of air after the closure of the vocal cords. Fun fact, when I asked my girlfriend what she thought about Georgia, she mentioned in this order: nature is gorgeous, food is great, and the Georgian language is very throat-ish. 😀
#7 Complex verb conjugation: Georgian has a complex system of verb conjugation, with different forms for different tenses, moods, and aspects.
Verbs are divided into five classes based on their stem type, and each class has its own set of rules for conjugation and for the addition of prefixes and suffixes. For example, the first class includes verbs with a stem that ends in a consonant, while the second class includes verbs with a stem that ends in a vowel. Furthermore, each tense can be modified to indicate what’s the status of the action (ie, it’s ongoing or completed).
At this point, dear friend, there could be two types of you:
- The one that says: WTF? I struggle even with Spanish. But the post is cool, so I’ll keep reading;
- the one that thinks: Count me in! Where shall I get started?
Indeed, dear fellow linguophile: given its complexity, Georgian allows for a huge deal of flexibility and precision when expressing oneself. And for the complexity, let me tell you how to build good foundations.
Learning Georgian: how to get started from 0
I would keep things as simple as possible if I were you. Start from these two textbooks and, for a good while, forget about wasting hours commenting on Georgian language forums, reviewing PhD dissertations on the Mingrelian influence on contemporary Georgian or the like.
#1 Textbooks to learn Georgian on your own
This textbook is all you need when you start from zero:
Beginner’s Georgian, by Dodona Kiziria
This book is designed specifically for beginners, providing a step-by-step approach to learning the basics of the Georgian language. It includes dialogues, exercises and vocabulary lists to help learners practice speaking, reading, and writing in Georgian.
The book also comes with an audio CD, which is sooooo needed for practising pronunciation and listening comprehension. It’s also freaking cheap, so all the more reasons to stop indulging.
Georgian: A Learner’s Grammar, by George Hewitt
It’s a good continuation of the above, in the sense that it is still meant for beginners, but it’s denser and more theoretical. This textbook provides a thorough introduction to the Georgian language, covering the basics – and a bit further – of pronunciation, grammar, lexicon, explanations of the alphabet, and exercises of all sorts for a beginner.
Read through each chapter carefully, taking notes and practising what you have just learned as you go. Make sure to review each chapter several times to reinforce your understanding. Despite being slightly more expensive than the previous textbook, it’s worth every penny.
With these two textbooks, you have a plan for a few months. Bulky tomes aside, allow me a few words of advice.
#2 Alphabet, alphabet and more alphabet
It seems a no-brainer, but it’s not. Start with the alphabet, as it’s important to get a handle on the basics first, and in this phase, forget about getting familiar with all the fancy typefaces like BPG Glaho and Sylfaen and cool calligraphy stuff. They are lovely, but before running, let’s learn to walk.
Learn to read the standard alphabet and script given with the books. Learn, first and foremost, to read. Writing matters, but I’d focus on good handwriting only when reading is no longer an issue.
#3 A Georgian tutor
Once you’re done with the books, get a private Georgian tutor. If you can hire one while working on the textbooks, even better. Once a week at least, even if learn Georgian for passion rather than an obligation – otherwise it will take you so long that you will starve your linguistic neurons between one session and another.
#4 For learning Gergian, stay grounded
If you ask around or browse some of the countless language learning forums, they will suggest you use all sorts of online resources to supplement your learning, such as listening to Georgian music, watching Georgian films or TV shows, or rabbit-holing into the adverbial case on publications more obscure than the Voynich manuscript.
Before at least a lower intermediate level, all you will get will be frustration.
#5 Duolingo or not Duolingo?
Ehm, let’s see…
As you know, Duolingo is a popular language learning platform that offers courses in many different languages, but… not Georgian. It’s not even in the incubator. Nonetheless, I wouldn’t consider using this app for it even if it were available.
The platform uses a gamified approach to language learning, with lessons that are interactive and engaging. But… the truth of the matter is, it’s just a game with a slight educational flair. I would recommend you to use Duolingo, for learning any language, only if:
- You want to run a Second Language Acquisition experiment, at the same time;
- you have small chunks of dead time you can’t use otherwise.
#6 Memorizing lyrics
Why not harness the power of music also when learning Georgian? The lyrics of “Iare” (იარე) by Nino Chkheidze (ნინო ჩხეიძე), or “Is ak aris” (ის აქ არის) by Giya Kancheli (გია ყანჩელი) are a good start. Then, go in the direction of your musical preferences.
#7 Learn to write
After having made this mistake many times when learning many languages, now to me it’s clear: starting to learn the four key skills at the same time (reading, listening, writing, speaking) is normally a bad idea.
That’s why I advised you before to spend more time reading, in the beginning, than writing. But as soon as you have a reasonable grasp on reading, time to master writing. A few tips:
- Whatever your handwriting style, write big letters;
- Learn to write the way strokes are ordered in the textbooks;
- Whatever your handwriting style, write slowly;
- Copy the characters from one unique set, one taken from the textbooks above. There will be time to explore other scripts, add ligatures and fioriture;
- When you’re practising handwriting, BE THERE. Leave distractions in another room;
- After a few letters in isolation, write whole words.
#8 Beware of language exchanges
Again, before a lower intermediate level of Georgian, it’s unlikely that you will benefit from practising the spoken language with natives. We have to bust the myth that any native speaker of a language is by default a good tutor of it. It’s better to stick to a professional tutor for practising, right now.
#9 Keep georgianizing yourself
A journey to საქართველო would be the top, but there is no need to if you can’t. Other stuff would work: a documentary about the Gelati monastery; reaching out to the Georgian dude playing soccer with your brother for coffee and conversation; dabbling in calligraphy; reading Edge of Empires: A History of Georgia by Donald Rayfield or binging on khachapuri like the world is ending.
Does it serve you to improve your language skills? Maybe not a lot, but sure as hell it does not harm 😉
FAQ about learning Georgian
Can one understand where a Georgian speaker is from based on their accent?
Yes, it is possible to identify the region or area where a Georgian speaker is from based on their accent.
The Georgian language has several regional dialects and accents, and the way a person speaks can often reveal where they are from. For example, a person’s accent might reveal the area they grew up in, their level of education, or their social background. Some regional accents in Georgian are more pronounced than others and can be quite different from the standard accent.
However, it is important to note that the distinction between accents and dialects in Georgian is not always clear-cut and that different accents can sometimes overlap or coexist in the same area. Additionally, the presence of multiple dialects and accents in Georgian can sometimes make it difficult to identify a speaker’s origin based solely on their accent.
Where is the best Georgian spoken?
Are you looking for the equivalent of Spanish’ Valladolid or English’ Cambridge? Any urban place is OK, don’t worry, and accent is something that not only we all have, but it is also possible to correct if need be.
Is Georgian available as a language option on operating systems and software?
Yes, on Microsoft Windows, Apple’s macOS, iOS, Android, etc. In addition, many software applications, such as word processing programs and web browsers, offer Georgian as a language option for user interfaces and menus
Will I ever be able to learn the alphabet?
Ahahah! Of course! The Georgian alphabet can be mastered in a few days, or a few weeks if you take it slow. As it is with Greek, Armenian, Russian or other languages with non-Latin alphabets, learning their writing system is easier than one believes.
The (partial) bad news is that it’s achieving a decent fluency in them that takes longer than most expect.
Is there a book you’d suggest to get to know the culture better?
Hold my shot of Chacha! Here are a few tips:
Georgia in the Mountains of Poetry by Peter Nasmyth is a well-regarded book that provides an in-depth look at all things Georgia, especially the post-USSR part of history, art, music and literature.
History of the Caucasus: Volume 1: At the Crossroads of Empires by Christoph Baumer is a best-seller on the Caucasus bookshelf. It covers a wide range of topics on Georgia but also Armenia and Azerbaijan, including ancient and medieval history, interactions with neighbouring forces such as Persia, Russia, and the Ottoman Empire, and up to the more recent developments.
How can I use proficiency in Georgian, in a professional sense?
Woah, buddy, we are still away from that place, but since I am a long-term planner too, the short answer is: Georgian can be fabulous for working. A few ways you can use your Georgian-speaking skills:
1️⃣ Translation and interpretation: since automatic translation is nowhere close, bridging the gap between Georgian and other languages will be necessary for a long time. Consider that Georgia has strong relations with Europe, North America, Central Asia and, well, Russia. Any of the languages spoken in these areas will be a good combination with Georgian.
2️⃣ Tourism: fluency in Georgian can be so valuable if you work in the tourism industry, helping visitors navigate the country and its culture. Nature, ancient architecture, wineries, those charming hamlets perched atop lush hills… and I can go on for a long time 🙂 according to the Georgian National Tourism Administration, the number of international tourists after Covid-19 is fast recovering from the pre-pandemic levels. In 2019, 9.4 million visited the country.
3️⃣ Cultural exchanges: Georgia’s cultural scene punches way above its weight. The interest shown by the rest of the world in what’s going on in Georgia translates into exhibitions, conferences and workshops of all sorts.
4️⃣ Trade: money will always go everywhere, no matter the language hurdle, but it does tend to go where language opened a path. Corporate tax is particularly favourable here, manufacturing is doing great in fields such as agricultural transformation and textile, the real estate market is growing steadily. Some would tell you that English is common, in business settings, so no need for investing time in Georgian; others would go as far as to say Russian is a better option, for both business and non-business, as you can use it also outside of Georgia. I would argue that none of them is fully aware of how much is lost, by not being fluent in the language.
5️⃣ International relations: why not use your Georgian language skills to work in the field of global development, diplomacy, or politics, helping to build relationships between Georgia and your country? Keep in mind that Georgia is a hotbed of geopolitical activity.
So, fluency in Georgian can be an excellent asset in a variety of fields, because we should meet people where they are – also linguistically. 😉
Conclusions on learning Georgian
Learning a new language is always a worthwhile endeavour: in this brief guide, though, I hope to have shown that start learning Georgian offers a uniquely rewarding experience. Ever thought – for real – about it before? 🙂
If you haven’t, what held you back? 🧐
Whether you’re interested in post-USSR spaces, mesmerized by the Kutaysi-born gal next to you at university 🧡 or captivated by the chap from Imereti who smuggle tkemali for you every time he goes back home 😋, reading Tintin in Georgian or trying to secure an internship at the OECD, why not take the plunge and start learning Georgian today?
Don’t let the alien sounds and strenuous grammar scare you off! With some method and persistence, you can achieve a decent Georgian and proceed to more advanced levels 😀 and fluency in Georgian opens up a whole new world of possibilities.
I see you here in a while with some other tips about how to learn Georgian. For now, stay safe, stay well, stay ქართველი 😉
Your personal Caucasian language observer, 🇬🇪
Kwa salamu! Mpendwa mtaalamu wa lugha, karibu na <humbleness alert> mwongozo bora wa kujifunza Kigeorgia! Je, uko tayari kuanza safari ya kugundua moja ya lugha za kipekee na nzuri zaidi ulimwenguni? Lugha ya Kigeorgia ni lugha rasmi ya jimbo la Kusini Mashariki mwa Marekani, ambalo ni lugha ya kiingereza. Lugha rasmi ya nchi ya Georgia, iliyoko katika makutano ya Ulaya na Asia. Historia yake tajiri, utamaduni, na desturi hufanya iwe lugha yenye kuvutia kujifunza, na alfabeti yake ya kipekee na sauti zake za kigeni huitofautisha na nyingine yoyote. Imekuwa ugunduzi wa marehemu kwangu, lakini bila shaka, kujifunza Kigeorgia ni ya kusisimua zaidi kuliko Money Heist. Kama wewe alianguka katika upendo na mtu wa Georgia, wewe kuabudu kusafiri mbali na pana, wewe ni hamu ya mvinyo-kula katika Tbilisi au kupata tajiri katika Batumi, mwongozo huu itakupa na zana na rasilimali unahitaji kuanza kuzungumza Kigeorgia na ujasiri. Na kama wewe ni tu curious, I'll bado kutoa kutosha kufurahisha. <unk> Hivyo, hebu kuanza! Kigeorgia huzungumzwa wapi? "Hata hivyo, ""mwenyeji"" wa Georgia, kaskazini mashariki mwa Caucasus, ambao ni sehemu ya Mashariki ya Kati, wanaanza kuchanganyika na Asia." Ikiwa una atlas, ichukue kwenye rafu na uichunguze. Kama huna, vizuri: - Kununua moja (hakuna kosa, Google Maps); <unk>️ - wakati huo huo, kujua kwamba Georgia ni mpakani na Uturuki kusini magharibi, Urusi kaskazini, Azerbaijan kusini mashariki na Armenia kusini. Hakuna pwani kwenye Bahari ya Caspian lakini nyingi <unk> na hai <unk> pwani kwenye Bahari Nyeusi. Wageorgia wanapenda kusema kwamba walipata nchi hii kutoka kwa Mungu. "Toleo rasmi" kando, iliniambia na Wazorjiya kwa njia hii: wakati sehemu za Dunia ziligawanywa na Mwenyezi kwa mataifa yasiyo na hesabu, Wazorbia walichelewa kwa sababu walikuwa wakinywa divai na karamu. Kwa hiyo, wakati nchi zote zilipokuwa zimetolewa, Mungu aliwapa kipande cha ardhi alichokuwa akijitunza. <unk> Hadithi hii ya ajabu inaonyesha mambo matatu: - Heshima ambayo Wagorgi wana kwa nchi yao; - Uzuri wa mahali hapo. - Wageorgia ni wanyama wa karamu. Lugha ya Kigeorgia ni lugha rasmi ya Georgia na inazungumzwa na watu milioni 3.7 duniani kote. Mbali na huko, jamii zinazozungumza Kigeorgia zipo pia katika nchi nyingine, kutia ndani Urusi, Ukraine, Uturuki, Iran, Azerbaijan, na Ugiriki. Ni nani anayezungumza Kigeorgia, isipokuwa Wagerusi? Kwa kusikitisha, si watu wengi wa nje wanaojifunza lugha hiyo, na kihistoria haijawahi kuwa lugha ya kawaida. Kwa hivyo, isipokuwa wachache wachache na jamii za kigeni za jadi zilizokaa nchini (hasa Warusi, Wakraini, Azerbaijan, Waarmenia), idadi kubwa ya wasemaji wa Kigeorgia ni wa kikabila wa Kigeorgia. Na Wageorgia ni akina nani? Kwa hivyo, kwa sababu ya historia ya kijeshi ya Georgia, watu wa Georgia wana historia ndefu na tajiri ambayo huanzia maelfu ya miaka iliyopita. Asili halisi haijulikani, lakini inaaminika kuwa eneo hilo limekaliwa na watu wa asili kwa maelfu ya miaka: baadhi ya makazi ya mapema ya binadamu katika eneo hilo ni ya Paleolithic, karibu miaka 40,000 iliyopita. Kwa karne nyingi, ustaarabu na milki mbalimbali zimetokea na kuanguka katika maeneo ya lugha ya Kigeorgia, kutia ndani falme za kale za Kolkhi na Iberia, na baadaye milki za Uajemi, Roma, na Byzantium. Watu wa Georgia wamehifadhi utamaduni na lugha yao ya kipekee katika historia hii ndefu, licha ya kushindwa na kutawaliwa na nguvu kadhaa za kigeni. Vinginevyo, hatungeweza ladha khinkali (khínkálí) siku hizi, ambayo ingekuwa ya kutisha. Je, lugha ya Kigeorgia ni ya kale kama watu wake? Kwa mfano, lugha ya Karthus ina asili ya miaka elfu kadhaa katika Caucasus. Alfabeti ya Kigeorgia ilianzishwa katika karne ya nne KK na kumbukumbu za kwanza za maandishi zinatokana na karne ya tano KK. "Kama ilivyoelezwa hapo juu, lugha ya Kigeorgia ilibadilika na kuingizwa katika lugha za Kigiriki, Kiajemi na Kirusi, lakini hatimaye ilipata sifa zake za kipekee.""" Twaweza kutambua hatua chache katika mageuzi ya lugha ya Kigeorgia. "Kama ilivyoelezwa hapo juu, ""Kijojiajia cha Kale"" (karne ya 4 hadi 11 KK) ni kipindi cha maandishi ya kwanza ya Kijojiajia, ikiwa ni pamoja na uundaji wa alfabeti." Wakati huo, lugha hiyo ilitumiwa katika maandishi ya kidini, ya fasihi, na ya kiutawala. Kigirigi cha kati (mwaka wa 12 hadi 17), ni kipindi cha lugha ya Kijojiajia ambacho kilikuwa na lugha ya lugha ya kijiji cha kijiji cha kijiji cha kijiji cha kijiji cha kijiji cha kijiji cha kijiji cha kijiji cha kijiji cha kijiji cha kijiji cha kijiji cha kijiji cha kijiji cha kijiji cha kijiji cha kijiji cha kijiji cha kijiji cha kijiji cha kijiji cha kijiji cha kijiji cha kijiji cha kijiji. Wakati huo, fasihi ya Kigeorgia ilifanikiwa sana, na vitabu vingi vyenye kutokeza viliandikwa, kutia ndani mashairi, nyimbo, na maandishi ya kihistoria. Kigeorgia cha kisasa (mwaka wa 18 hadi leo): Kipindi hiki kinaashiria mpito kutoka Kigeorgia cha Kati hadi lugha ya kisasa ya Kigeorgia. Wakati huo, lugha ya Kigeorgia iliathiriwa na Kirusi, na pia na mapokeo ya fasihi ya Ulaya na ya kale. Kipindi hicho pia kiliona maendeleo ya lugha iliyopangwa, ambayo bado inatumiwa leo. Katika hatua hii, kama wewe ni kama mimi, wewe kuuliza: kusubiri dakika, kuniambia zaidi kuhusu alfabeti, tafadhali! Lugha ya Kigeorgia huandikwaje? Lugha ya Kigeorgia huandikwa kwa alfabeti yake ya kipekee, inayoitwa Mkhedruli. Ni maandishi ya hivi karibuni zaidi, nje ya tatu kuu. Je, tuone kwa ufupi? Asomtavruli ni aina ya zamani zaidi ya alfabeti ya Kigeorgia, na inaanzia karne ya 5 KK. Mwanzoni lilitumiwa kwa maandishi na maandishi ya kidini, na lina sura yenye kupambwa na kupambwa sana. Asomtavruli bado hutumiwa leo katika muktadha fulani wa kidini, kama vile vichwa vya vitabu vya kanisa. Nuskhuri ni alfabeti ya Kigeorgia iliyotengenezwa katika karne ya 9 KK. Ilitumiwa kwa maandishi ya kilimwengu, kama vile hati za kisheria, na ina sura rahisi na yenye pembe zaidi kuliko Asomtavruli. Nuskhuri bado inatumiwa, kama vile maandishi kwenye mawe ya makaburi. Mkhedruli ni aina ya alfabeti ya Kigeorgia inayotumiwa zaidi leo, na imekuwa ikitumiwa tangu karne ya 11 KK. Ni mtindo wa maandishi ulioandikwa kwa herufi nyembamba na wenye mtiririko zaidi kuliko zile nyingine mbili, na hutumiwa kwa ajili ya kuandika na kuchapisha kila siku. Mkhedruli ni aina ya alfabeti ya Kijojiajia inayotumiwa katika Georgia ya kisasa, na ni mtindo unaofundishwa shuleni na kutumika katika nyaraka rasmi. Mkhedruli, Nushkuri au Asomtavruli, maandishi ya Kigeorgia hujitolea vizuri sana kwa tatoo ambazo sielewi kwa nini ninaona karibu tu Kiarabu na Kichina kikitumiwa. "Kuna herufi 33 za Kiingereza, pamoja na vokali 7 na konsonanti 26 na huandikwa kutoka kushoto kwenda kulia.""" Maumbo yake ya kipekee ya umbo la mviringo na ya kipekee ya mapambo hufanya iwe, kwa maneno ya kiufundi, yenye kupendeza sana. Ingawa imebadilika na kubadilika kwa karne nyingi, umbo lake la msingi limebaki bila kubadilika, kama unavyoona. Na vilevile haijabadilika jinsi Wagerusi wanavyothamini mfumo wao wa kuandika. "Wamarekani wanajua kwamba msanii wa alfabeti ya Kiarmenia, Mesrop Mashtots, aliandika ""Asomtavruli"" kwa sababu ya kuvutia kwa mchanganyiko wa maandishi ya kiarabu na maandishi ya kiarabu." <unk> Butttt sawa, utani kando, ni nini facets ajabu zaidi ya lugha hii? (kutikisa mikono tena). Lugha ya Kigeorgia ina mfumo tajiri wa inflection, na idadi ya kesi za sarufi (saa saba, kila moja na mwisho wake na matumizi), hali, na nyakati, na kuifanya kuwa lugha ngumu kujifunza - ingawa nzuri. Mkataba wa Polypersonal: Kitenzi lazima kiwe na makubaliano ya kibinafsi na hoja zake zote, ikimaanisha kwamba kitenzi lazima kionyeshe idadi ya mada na vitu katika sentensi. Kwa njia hii, kwa kitenzi kimoja unaweza kutoa habari kuhusu sentensi nzima. "Kuna lugha ya Kigeorgia inayoitwa ""postpositions"" ambayo ni maneno yanayofuata jina linalobadilishwa." Hebu nipe ufafanuzi wa kidogo wa nerd. Postposition ni aina ya chembe ya sarufi ambayo huwekwa baada ya jina au kiwakilishi kuonyesha uhusiano wa jina na kipengele kingine katika sentensi. Katika Kigeorgia, postpositions hutumiwa kuonyesha mbalimbali ya mahusiano ya sarufi, ikiwa ni pamoja na eneo, mwelekeo, milki na muda. "Kwa mfano, postposition ""Georgia"" (sakartveloshi) ina maana ""katika Georgia,"" na postposition ""Tshilin"" ina maana ""kimbele ya.""" Majina ya kibinadamu yamegawanywa katika makundi kumi tofauti kulingana na sifa hii, na darasa la jina huamua fomu ya vipengele mbalimbali vya sentensi, kama vile sifa na majina. # 5 Maneno ya konsonanti: Lugha ya Kigeorgia ina konsonanti kadhaa za konsonanti, ambazo hutamkwa kwa sauti ya juu, na hivyo kutofautisha na konsonanti zisizo za konsonanti. Hiyo ndiyo, labda, sehemu inayoonekana zaidi ya Kigeorgia kinachozungumzwa, pamoja na jambo linalofuata. #Ejective consonants: ni sauti zinazotokana na hewa iliyotolewa ghafla baada ya kamba za sauti kufungwa. "Mwanamke mmoja wa Georgia aliuliza rafiki yake wa kike, ""Je, unajua jinsi Georgia inavyoonekana?"" na alimwambia, ""Utamaduni ni mzuri, chakula ni kizuri, na lugha ya Kigeorgia ni ya kushangaza sana.""" #7 Mfumo wa mviringo wa vitenzi: Kigeorgia ina mfumo tata wa mviringo wa vitenzi, na aina tofauti kwa vipindi tofauti, hali, na mambo. Vitenzi vimegawanywa katika makundi matano kulingana na aina ya shina, na kila darasa lina seti yake mwenyewe ya sheria za kuunganisha na kuongeza viambishi na viambishi. Kwa mfano, darasa la kwanza lina vifungu vyenye shina linalomalizika kwa konsonanti, ilhali darasa la pili lina vifungu vyenye shina linalomalizika kwa vokali. Zaidi ya hayo, kila tense inaweza kubadilishwa kuonyesha nini ni hali ya hatua (yaani, ni kuendelea au kukamilika). Katika hatua hii, rafiki mpendwa, kunaweza kuwa na aina mbili za wewe: - Moja ambayo inasema: WTF? Nina matatizo hata na Kihispania. Lakini chapisho ni baridi, hivyo I'll kuendelea kusoma; - moja ambayo anafikiri: Count me katika! Ninapaswa kuanza wapi? Kwa kweli, rafiki yangu mpenda lugha: kwa sababu ya utata wake, Kigeorgia huruhusu kubadilika-badilika sana na usahihi wakati wa kujieleza. Kwa sababu ya utata, hebu tuambie jinsi ya kujenga msingi mzuri. Kujifunza Kigeorgia: Jinsi ya Kuanza kutoka 0 Kuanzia vitabu hivi viwili na, kwa muda mrefu, kusahau juu ya kupoteza saa kutoa maoni juu ya majukwaa ya lugha ya Kigeorgia, kukagua dissertations PhD juu ya Mingrelian ushawishi juu ya kisasa Kigeorgia au sawa. "Kama kitabu cha kwanza cha lugha ya Kigeorgia, ""Kigeorgia ya Mwanzoni"" na Dodona Kiziria, kitabu hiki kinaonyesha jinsi ya kujifunza lugha ya Kigeorgia kwa hatua kwa hatua." Inajumuisha mazungumzo, mazoezi na orodha za msamiati ili kuwasaidia wanafunzi kufanya mazoezi ya kuzungumza, kusoma, na kuandika katika Kigeorgia. Kitabu pia huja na CD ya sauti, ambayo ni sooooo zinahitajika kwa ajili ya mazoezi ya matamshi na kusikiliza uelewa. Pia ni bei nafuu sana, kwa hiyo sababu zaidi ya kuacha kujifurahisha. Kigeorgia: A Learner's Grammar, na George Hewitt Ni mwendelezo mzuri wa hapo juu, kwa maana kwamba bado ni kwa ajili ya wapya, lakini ni dense na zaidi ya kinadharia. Kitabu hiki kinatoa utangulizi kamili wa lugha ya Kigeorgia, ikifunika misingi <unk> na zaidi kidogo <unk> ya matamshi, sarufi, msamiati, maelezo ya alfabeti, na mazoezi ya kila aina kwa mwanzoni. Soma kila sura kwa uangalifu, uandike mambo na ufanye mazoezi ya mambo uliyojifunza. Hakikisha kwamba unarudia kila sura mara kadhaa ili kuimarisha uelewaji wako. Licha ya kuwa ghali kidogo kuliko kitabu cha awali, ni thamani ya kila senti. Kwa kutumia vitabu hivi viwili, unaweza kufanya mipango kwa miezi michache. Mbali na vitabu vingi, niruhusu nipe ushauri mfupi. "Alphabet, alphabet, alphabet, alphabet, alphabet, alphabet, alphabet, alphabet, alphabet, alphabet, alphabet, alphabet, alphabet, alphabet, alphabet, alphabet, alphabet, alphabet, alphabet, alphabet, alphabet, alphabet, alphabet, alphabet, alphabet, alphabet, alphabet, alphabet, alphabet, alphabet, alphabet, alphabet, alphabet, alphabet, alphabet, alphabet, alphabet, alphabet, alphabet, alphabet, alphabet, alphabet, alphabet, alphabet, alphabet, alph.""" Kuanza na alfabeti, kama ni muhimu kupata kushughulikia juu ya misingi ya kwanza, na katika awamu hii, kusahau kuhusu kupata ukoo na fonts fancy wote kama BPG Glaho na Sylfaen na mambo baridi calligraphy. Wao ni lovely, lakini kabla ya kukimbia, hebu kujifunza kutembea. Jifunze kusoma alfabeti na maandishi ya kawaida yanayotolewa pamoja na vitabu hivyo. Jifunze, kwanza kabisa, kusoma. Kuandika ni muhimu, lakini ningekazia fikira uandishi mzuri wa mkono tu wakati kusoma si suala tena. # 1 - Uwe na mwalimu wa Kijojiajia, na baada ya kumaliza masomo yako, utapata mwalimu wa kijiji cha Kijojiajia. Ikiwa unaweza kuajiri mmoja wakati wa kufanya kazi kwenye vitabu vya masomo, ni bora hata zaidi. Mara moja kwa wiki angalau, hata kama kujifunza Kigeorgia kwa shauku badala ya wajibu <unk> vinginevyo itachukua muda mrefu sana kwamba wewe njaa neurons lugha yako kati ya kikao kimoja na kingine. "Kama unauliza karibu au kuvinjari baadhi ya vikao vya kujifunza lugha isiyohesabika, watakupendekeza utumie aina zote za rasilimali za mtandaoni ili kuongeza kujifunza kwako, kama vile kusikiliza muziki wa Kigeorgia, kutazama filamu za Kigeorgia au vipindi vya televisheni, au ""kuchimba sungura"" katika kesi ya adverbial kwenye machapisho yasiyojulikana zaidi kuliko hati ya Voynich." Kama wewe ni chini ya kiwango cha kati, basi utapata tu kukata tamaa. # 5 Duolingo au si Duolingo? Ehm, hebu tuone... Kama unavyojua, Duolingo ni jukwaa maarufu la kujifunza lugha ambalo linatoa kozi katika lugha nyingi tofauti, lakini... si Kijojiajia. Ni hata si katika incubator. Hata hivyo, nisingependa kuzingatia kutumia programu hii kwa ajili yake hata kama ilikuwa inapatikana. Jukwaa hutumia mbinu ya gamified kwa kujifunza lugha, na masomo ambayo ni maingiliano na kuvutia. Lakini... ukweli wa jambo hilo ni, ni tu mchezo na kidogo ya elimu flair. Ningependekeza kutumia Duolingo, kwa ajili ya kujifunza lugha yoyote, tu kama: - Unataka kukimbia Majaribio ya Upataji Lugha ya Pili, kwa wakati huo huo; - una vipande vidogo vya muda wafu huwezi kutumia vinginevyo. #Kuchora nyimbo kwa makini: Kwa nini usitumie muziki kwa bidii kujifunza lugha ya Kigeorgia? Maneno ya <unk>Iare<unk> (iare) na Nino Chkheidze (niino chkhedeidze), au <unk>Is ak aris<unk> (is hapa ni) na Giya Kancheli (გია ყანჩელი) ni mwanzo mzuri. Kisha, endelea kufuata muziki unaopenda. #7 Jifunze kuandika Baada ya kufanya kosa hili mara nyingi wakati wa kujifunza lugha nyingi, sasa kwangu ni wazi: kuanza kujifunza ujuzi nne muhimu kwa wakati mmoja (kusoma, kusikiliza, kuandika, kuzungumza) kwa kawaida ni wazo mbaya. Hiyo ndiyo sababu nilikushauri kabla ya kutumia muda zaidi kusoma, katika mwanzo, kuliko kuandika. Lakini mara tu unapopata ufahamu wa kutosha wa kusoma, ni wakati wa kujifunza kuandika. "Kama unavyopenda, unaweza kuandika kwa herufi kubwa, ""Kila aina ya herufi, kuandika kwa njia ya mstari wa mstari katika vitabu vya masomo, kuandika polepole, nakala herufi kutoka kwa seti moja ya kipekee, moja iliyochukuliwa kutoka kwa vitabu vya masomo hapo juu.""" Kutakuwa na muda wa kuchunguza scripts nyingine, kuongeza ligatures na fioriture; - Wakati wewe ni mazoezi ya maandishi, kuwa huko. Acha vitu vinavyofadhaisha katika chumba kingine; - Baada ya herufi chache kwa upweke, andika maneno yote. #8 Jihadharini na kubadilishana lugha Tena, kabla ya kiwango cha chini cha kati cha Kigeorgia, haiwezekani kwamba utafaidika na mazoezi ya lugha inayozungumzwa na wenyeji. Ni lazima tupuuze hadithi kwamba msemaji yeyote wa asili wa lugha ni kwa default mwalimu mzuri wa lugha hiyo. Ni bora kushikamana na mwalimu mtaalamu kwa ajili ya mazoezi, sasa hivi. #9 Endelea georgianizing mwenyewe Safari ya Georgia itakuwa juu, lakini hakuna haja ya kama huwezi. "Kama vile, unaweza kufurahia ""Gelati"" - ukisoma hadithi ya Georgia, na kisha kufurahia mchezo wa mpira wa miguu na ndugu yako, na kisha kusoma ""Edge of Empires: Historia ya Georgia"" na Donald Rayfield." Je, inakuwezesha kuboresha ustadi wako wa lugha? "Hata hivyo, kwa sababu ya ""mfano"" wa lugha ya Kijojiajia, ni vigumu sana kugundua lugha ya Kijojiajia kwa sababu ya msamiati wake." Ndiyo, inawezekana kutambua eneo au eneo ambalo msemaji wa Kigeorgia anatoka kulingana na lafudhi yake. Lugha ya Kigeorgia ina lahaja na lafudhi kadhaa za kikanda, na mara nyingi njia ambayo mtu huzungumza yaweza kufunua ni kutoka wapi. Kwa mfano, lafudhi ya mtu yaweza kufunua eneo alilolelewa, kiwango chake cha elimu, au malezi yake ya kijamii. Baadhi ya lafudhi za kikanda katika Kigeorgia ni dhahiri zaidi kuliko nyingine na zinaweza kuwa tofauti sana na lafudhi ya kawaida. Hata hivyo, ni muhimu kutambua kwamba tofauti kati ya lahaja na lahaja katika Kigeorgia si wazi kila wakati na kwamba lahaja tofauti wakati mwingine zinaweza kuingiliana au kuishi pamoja katika eneo moja. Kwa kuongezea, uwepo wa lahaja na lafudhi nyingi katika Kigeorgia wakati mwingine unaweza kufanya iwe vigumu kutambua asili ya msemaji kulingana tu na lafudhi yao. Ni wapi ambapo Kijojiajia kinazungumzwa vizuri zaidi? Je, unatafuta sawa na Kihispania <unk> Valladolid au Kiingereza <unk> Cambridge? Mahali popote mijini ni sawa, usijali, na lafudhi ni kitu ambacho si tu sisi sote tuna, lakini pia inawezekana kurekebisha ikiwa inahitajika. Je, Kigeorgia inapatikana kama chaguo la lugha kwenye mifumo ya uendeshaji na programu? Ndiyo, juu ya Microsoft Windows, Apple's macOS, iOS, Android, nk. Kwa kuongezea, programu nyingi za programu, kama vile programu za usindikaji wa maneno na vivinjari vya wavuti, hutoa lugha ya Kijojiajia kama chaguo la lugha kwa interfaces za mtumiaji na menyu. Ahahah! Bila shaka unaweza! Alfabeti ya Kigeorgia yaweza kufundishwa kwa siku chache, au kwa majuma machache ikiwa utachukua hatua polepole. Kama ilivyo na Kigiriki, Kiarmenia, Kirusi au lugha nyingine zenye alfabeti zisizo za Kilatini, kujifunza mfumo wao wa uandishi ni rahisi kuliko mtu aaminivyo. Habari mbaya (sehemu) ni kwamba ni kufikia fluency heshima katika yao ambayo inachukua muda mrefu kuliko wengi kutarajia. Je, kuna kitabu unachopendekeza ili ujue utamaduni huo vizuri zaidi? Kushikilia risasi yangu ya Chacha! Georgia katika Milima ya Ushairi na Peter Nasmyth ni kitabu cha kuvutia cha Georgia, hasa sehemu ya historia, sanaa, muziki na fasihi ya baada ya USSR. Historia ya Caucasus: Volume 1: Katika Crossroads ya Milki na Christoph Baumer ni bestseller juu ya Caucasus bookshelf. "Hii inahusu ""mwisho wa miaka"" wa Armenia na Azerbaijan, pamoja na historia ya kale na ya enzi za kati, mwingiliano na nguvu za jirani kama vile Uajemi, Urusi, na Milki ya Ottoman, na hadi maendeleo ya hivi karibuni." Jinsi gani naweza kutumia ustadi katika Kigeorgia, kwa maana ya kitaaluma? "Hata hivyo, kwa sababu ya kuwa ""mwenyeji wa Georgia"" na ""mwenyeji wa Georgia"" ni tofauti, kwa sababu ya kuwa na uzoefu wa muda mrefu, ni muhimu sana kwamba Georgia inapaswa kuwa na uzoefu wa muda mrefu." "Kama unavyojua, lugha ya Kijojiajia ni lugha ya lugha ya Kiingereza, lakini kwa sababu ya ""maelezo ya lugha"" ya lugha ya Kijojiajia, tafsiri ya lugha ya Kijojiajia inaweza kuwa na maana kubwa kwa lugha ya Kijojiajia." Georgia ina uhusiano wa karibu na Ulaya, Amerika ya Kaskazini, Asia ya Kati na Urusi. Lugha yoyote inayozungumzwa katika maeneo hayo itachanganya vizuri na Kigeorgia. Utamaduni: Ujuzi wa Kigeorgia unaweza kuwa muhimu sana ikiwa unafanya kazi katika tasnia ya utalii, kusaidia wageni kusafiri nchini na utamaduni wake. "Ujenzi wa zamani, viwanda vya divai, vijiji hivyo vya kupendeza vilivyo juu ya vilima vyenye majani mengi... na ninaweza kuendelea kwa muda mrefu. ""Kwa mujibu wa Usimamizi wa Utalii wa Kitaifa wa Georgia, idadi ya watalii wa kimataifa baada ya Covid-19 inarejesha haraka kutoka viwango vya kabla ya janga." Mwaka 2019, watu milioni 9.4 walitembelea nchi hiyo. 3 ️ Mabadiliko ya kitamaduni: eneo la kitamaduni la Georgia lina nguvu zaidi ya uzito wake. Maslahi yaliyoonyeshwa na ulimwengu wote kwa kile kinachoendelea nchini Georgia yanatafsiriwa katika maonyesho, mikutano na warsha za aina zote. """Pesa zitakwenda kila mahali, bila kujali kizuizi cha lugha, lakini zinaelekea kwenda mahali ambapo lugha ilifungua njia.""" Kodi ya kampuni ni nzuri sana hapa, viwanda vinafanya vizuri katika nyanja kama vile usindikaji wa kilimo na nguo, soko la mali isiyohamishika linakua kwa kasi. "Wengine watakuambia kwamba Kiingereza ni kawaida, katika mazingira ya biashara, kwa hivyo hakuna haja ya kuwekeza wakati katika Kigeorgia; wengine watakwenda mbali zaidi kusema Kirusi ni chaguo bora, kwa biashara na isiyo ya biashara, kwani unaweza kuitumia pia nje ya Georgia. """ Ningesema kwamba hakuna yeyote kati yao anayejua kikamilifu ni kiasi gani kinachopotea, kwa kutokuwa na ufasaha katika lugha. "Kama ""mwanamke"" wa Georgia, unaweza kutumia ujuzi wako wa lugha ya Kijojiajia kufanya kazi katika uwanja wa maendeleo ya kimataifa, diplomasia, au siasa, kusaidia kujenga mahusiano kati ya Georgia na nchi yako." Kumbuka kwamba Georgia ni kitovu cha shughuli za kijiografia na kisiasa. Kwa hiyo, ufasaha katika Kigeorgia unaweza kuwa rasilimali bora katika nyanja mbalimbali, kwa sababu tunapaswa kukutana na watu ambapo wao ni <unk> pia lugha. Kujifunza lugha mpya ni daima jitihada yenye thamani: katika mwongozo huu mfupi, hata hivyo, natumaini kuwa nimeonyesha kwamba kuanza kujifunza Kigeorgia inatoa uzoefu wa kipekee wa thawabu. Je, umewahi kufikiria <unk> kwa kweli <unk> kuhusu hilo kabla? Kama hujafanya hivyo, ni nini kilichokuzuia?  Iwe unavutiwa na nafasi za baada ya USSR, umevutiwa na msichana aliyezaliwa Kutaisi karibu nawe katika chuo kikuu  au umevutiwa na chap kutoka Imereti ambaye husafirisha tkemali kwa ajili yako kila wakati anarudi nyumbani, kusoma Tintin kwa Kigeorgia au kujaribu kupata mafunzo katika OECD, kwa nini usichukue hatua na kuanza kujifunza Kigeorgia leo? Usiruhusu sauti za kigeni na sarufi ngumu zikutie hofu! Kwa njia fulani na uvumilivu, unaweza kufikia Kijojiajia cha heshima na kuendelea na viwango vya juu zaidi. Kwa hivyo, kwa sasa, tunafanya kazi kwa bidii na tunatoa ushauri wa jinsi ya kujifunza Kigeorgia. Kwa sasa, kukaa salama, kukaa vizuri, kukaa Georgian 😉 Mtazamaji wako binafsi wa lugha ya Caucasian, <unk>