This area has a wealth of cultural and natural resources but the ongoing conflict over the past decades has exerted a heavy toll on its cultural, social, physical and economic fabric.
However, by reducing linguistic barriers and fostering multilingualism, intercultural dialogue and understanding can be promoted. In addition, through the portrayal of the intrinsic cultural wealth of the various languages, thereby engendering inter-ethnic respect and tolerance, conflict resolution and the regional peace-building process can be advanced. By contributing to the ongoing efforts being made by government, civil society and the international community the project seeks to promote development efforts in the region.
Record Library of Caucasian Languages
There are over 40 different languages and dialects in the Caucasus territory. Due to the assimilation of small ethnic groups, their languages are endangered and soon this and their cultural legacy could disappear. There have been many dissertations and scholarly works published on these issues by the Department of Caucasian Languages. Unfortunately these alone cannot preserve and relate the natural and audio specificity of the language (accents, intonation, pronunciation) or adequately convey to the public their importance as examples of humanities patrimony.
This project will then support the survival and preservation of endangered languages in the Caucasian region by capturing sound recording of Abkhazian, Bats and Laz native speakers, thereby preserving the linguistic and cultural heritage for future generations.
In addition to capturing cultural relevant material (folklore, traditions and belief, history, etc), the sound recordings will also seek to demonstrate the full auditory range of these languages including peculiarities of pronunciation and expression. An appropriate transcription of these languages will be provided to support future analysis, as well as a translation in Georgian and English. The results of this work will be freely accessible via the Internet to all users, and particularly scientists, students and other individuals interested in Caucasian languages. Later other languages will be added.
Working phases:
December 2002 -February 2003:
expedition in Tusheti for Butsbian language recordings,
transfer of voice data, texts edition, transcription and translation to Georgian.
March – May 2003:
expedition in Adjara for language recordings,
voice data analysis, transcriptions and text translations (in Tbilissi)
June- August 2003:
expedition in Abkhazia for Abkhazian language recordings
voice data analysis, transcriptions and text translations
September- October 2003:
Detailed analysis of the linguistic material, preparation of reports and web page in Abkhaz, Georgian and English languages.
Publication of the Two-volume Abkhazian-Georgian Dictionary
The overall objective of this project is to promote the access to the cultural heritage of both groups and the improvement of the inter-cultural dialogue and relationships between these two language communities.
Volume I: Abkhazian-Georgian Dictionary
Designed for Georgian readers and will include an Abkhazian-Georgian dictionary (3000 words and 250 pages) and an Abkhazian grammar manual written in Georgian.
Volume II: Georgian-Abkhazian Dictionary
Designed for Abkhazian readers and will include a Georgia-Abkhazian dictionary (3000 words and 250 pages) and a Georgian grammar manual written in Abkhazian.
1000 copies of this dictionary are going to be published.
Working phases:
Selection and computerisation of the 3000 Abkhazian words that will be translated into Georgian
Translation into Georgian; alphabetical classification
Production of the grammar manual on Abkhazian language and its computerisation
Selection and computerisation of the 3000 Georgian words that will be translated into Abkhazian
Translation into Abkhazian ; alphabetical classification
Production of the grammar manual on Georgian language and its computerisation
Design and edition of a copy of both volumes of the dictionary
Preparation of 1000 copies of each volume
Digitalisation of the electronic version of the dictionaries and on-line publishing.
