Svan-Georgian Speech Code-mixing in Kvemo Kartli

Abstract

Svan dialects have been influenced by related and unrelated languages due the fast pace of modern life and movement of the population inside and outside the country. This paper presents the results conducted in December of 2023 with respondents of different ages and genders in the village of Chivchavi, Kvemo Kartli region, considering sociolinguistic questionnaires and methodology. For comparison, data analysed in the same region 20 years ago (in 2003–2004) is also utilised. The informants are the Svans from Lower Svaneti settled in Chivchavi, Tetritskaro, who have coexisted with the local population in Kvemo Kartli region since 1987. The research revealed that 20 years ago Svan was the dominant language. The situation, according to the new data, is changed. Recent age surveys showed that Georgian has largely replaced Svan in family and community settings, (among middle and younger generations).