KARTVELIAN Meaning and
Definition
-
Kartvelian refers to an adjective or noun pertaining to the Kartvelian language family, also known as the South Caucasian or Ibero-Caucasian language family. This language family consists of a group of languages primarily spoken in the Caucasus region of Eurasia, predominantly in Georgia, but also in neighboring countries like Turkey, Russia, and Iran.
As an adjective, Kartvelian describes anything related to or characteristic of the Kartvelian or South Caucasian languages, their speakers, or the cultures associated with them. For example, one may refer to Kartvelian phonetics or Kartvelian grammar to discuss the specific linguistic features found in these languages.
As a noun, Kartvelian refers to a member or a native speaker of the Kartvelian languages. It also encompasses the broader linguistic and cultural identity of the Kartvelian-speaking communities, including their historical, social, and cultural contexts.
The Kartvelian language family is known for its complexity and diversity, comprising four main branches: Georgian, Svan, Mingrelian, and Laz. Georgian, the largest and most widely spoken of the Kartvelian languages, holds an official status in Georgia and plays a crucial role in the country's cultural and national identity. Kartvelian languages are unique and distinct from other language families, having their own grammatical structures, vocabulary, and phonetic features that contribute to their rich linguistic heritage.
Common Misspellings for KARTVELIAN
- jartvelian
- martvelian
- lartvelian
- oartvelian
- iartvelian
- kzrtvelian
- ksrtvelian
- kwrtvelian
- kqrtvelian
- kaetvelian
- kadtvelian
- kaftvelian
- kattvelian
- ka5tvelian
- ka4tvelian
- karrvelian
- karfvelian
- kargvelian
- karyvelian
- kar6velian
Etymology of KARTVELIAN
The word "Kartvelian" refers to the language family that includes Georgian, Svan, Mingrelian, and Laz languages. The etymology of the term "Kartvelian" can be traced back to the name of a significant ancient Georgian tribe called "Kartveli" or "Kartveloi".
The Georgians (Kartveli) are considered the ethnic and linguistic core of the region, and their name has been used to identify the broader language family. The term "Kartvelian" was coined by the German linguist Franz Anton Schiefner in the mid-19th century to classify these related languages under one umbrella.
The root of the word "Kartveli" (meaning "Georgian") is believed to originate from the ancient tribal name of "Kartlos".
