Interview

Nellie: What are some unique features of the Georgian language compared to other languages?

Mom: Georgian has a very unique looking alphabet. Its not similar to any other writing system.

Nellie: Are there different dialects of the language?

Mom: I am from the capital of Georgia (Tbilisi) so I speak the main language. Other cities have different dialects.

Nellie: What are traditional Georgian customs?

Mom: Supra is a traditional feast and a huge gathering with lots of food and drinking. Georgians are known to be very good hosts.

Nellie: How is the Georgian language taught and preserved today?

Mom: Georgian is not a dying language and still has a big population. The language is passed down to every generation.

Nellie: What efforts are being made to promote the Georgian language?

Mom: Promoting language education programs

 

Recording

 

Translation:

Poem by Besik’ Xaranauli

Everybody
diminishes in some way
as though a city
slowly disappears
as though
high mountains flatten out
and the sky diminishes
constellations fade…
So I used to think
so it seemed to me
and so I loved no longer
I didn’t know
that this unhandsome tree
would yet shake down such lovely fruit for me.