Presentation
of the Modernized Text of the “Abkhaz-Georgian Dictionary” at Sokhumi State
University
Sokhumi
State University hosted a presentation of the modernized edition of the
“Abkhaz-Georgian Dictionary”, originally compiled by the distinguished Georgian
Abkhazologist Bagrat (Shota) Janashia (1901–1978).
As
Professor Teimuraz Gvantseladze explained, the dictionary was first published
in 1954. At that time, Abkhaz words were written using the Georgian script in
use between 1938 and 1954. However, shortly after the initial edition, the
script was replaced with the current Russian-based system, rendering Janashia’s
dictionary difficult to use for Abkhaz readers who had learned reading and
writing according to the post-1954 script. To address this, the second edition
retained Abkhaz words in the Georgian script for translation purposes, while
the publishers included the modern versions of these words in square brackets.
This approach restored the dictionary’s original purpose, enabling contemporary
Abkhaz and Georgian readers to use it freely as a cultural and linguistic
bridge between the two closely related peoples.
The
modernized edition was prepared by Professor Teimuraz Gvantseladze and
Associate Professor Gvantsa Gvantseladze of Sokhumi State University,
Researcher and Doctor of Philology Sofiko Tchaava from the Peace Education
Center, and programmer Malkhaz Pkhaladze. The “Abkhaz-Georgian Dictionary” was
published under the auspices of the University’s Peace Education Center.
The
presentation took place on December 1 of this year.
