Adjaran

Adjaran (Ach'aruli / აჭარული) is one of the Georgian dialects primarily spoken within the borders of the autonomous republic of Adjara, Georgia, also in two villages of the adjacent region of Guria, and the ethnic Georgian-inhabited areas of Turkey.

Sub-Dialects and Accents

The Adjaran dialect has several sub-dialects, and is spoken with different accents in different locations. Upper Adjaran and Lower Adjaran are the most common sub-dialects. In addition, a separate Kobuletian dialect is sometimes distinguished as well. The Upper Adjaran sub-dialect is found in Khulo and Shuakhev, and the Lower Adjaran sub-dialect is found in the Keda, Khelvachauri and Kobuleti regions.

Adjaran is spoken with Khuloan, Shuakhevian, Kobuletian accents. The Kobuletian accent shows less evidence of Turkish influence than the other two. Some distinguish between Ghorjomian and Khikhadzirian variants of the Khuloan accent. The Kirnat-Maradid region also has a unique accent.

There are western and eastern varieties of Adjaran. The Upper Adjaran sub-dialect is similar to Samtskhe-Javakhet and resembles Iberian. The Lower Adjaran sub-dialect (particularly the Kobuletian-accented version), is similar to western Georgian speech.

Origin and Turkish influence

The Adjaran dialect is derived from the Kolchain, Meskhet-Klarjetian and surrounding Gurian dialects. The Ottoman Empire introduced a Turkish influence. Therefore, one can find elements of Mingrelian and Laz within the Adjaran dialect.

References and External Links

* [http://armazi.uni-frankfurt.de/armaziII/enebi/kartuli/dialekt/acaruli.html Acharuli dialect]
* qarTuli (aWaruli) zRaprebi, baT., 1973.
* S. niJaraZe, aWaruli dialeqti, baTumi,1975.
* p. jajaniZe, aWaruli leqsikuri masalebi, qpi Sr., XXIII, 1961.
* t. futkaraZe, msazRvrel-sazRvrulis brunebisaTvis samxreT saqarTvelos dialeqtebSi, aWaruli dialeqtis dargoblivi leqsika, VI, Tb., 1986.
* [http://www.adjara.ge/en/index.php?page=language AdjaraInfo.Com]