Minority Language Policy in Georgia

Abstract

There are four regions in Georgia where large groups of linguistic minorities reside: Abkhazians in Abkhazia, Ossetians in Shida Kartli, Azerbaijanis in Kvemo Kartli, and Armenians in Samtskhe-Javakheti and the Tsalka district of Kvemo Kartli. The Abkhazians live in the northwestern part of Georgia, along the Black Sea coast. In addition to these major groups, it is also important to mention several smaller linguistic communities, primarily settled in the mountainous areas of Eastern Georgia. These include the Pankisi Kists, Batsbs, and Udians. The uniqueness of these groups lies in their numbers: their languages are included in UNESCO’s list of endangered languages. During the Soviet era, language policy was marked by increasing Russification. After the collapse of the USSR, the national government of Georgia assumed responsibility for preserving and developing the native languages of minority groups. Current state policy governs the use of these languages in relation to the official language. Georgian legislation is liberal in this regard and promotes an integration-oriented language policy, in contrast to the assimilationist and Russification-driven policies of the Soviet period. In recent years, minority communities have shown growing interest in learning the official language. One of the key contributing factors has been the state’s effective language policy aimed at supporting both the preservation and development of native languages. In this context, the State Language Department, the Ministry of Education and Science, and international organizations play a crucial role in facilitating the integration of minority groups. A variety of programs and local projects are being implemented to promote multilingual education, with one of the primary goals being the protection and preservation of native languages.