Limoorew in Svan (Judgment, Mediation) Ethnolinguistic Analysis of Collocations

Abstract

          Svaneti is the ancient center of Georgian culture and statehood. Figuratively, it is often called "the side of a thousand towers" and the ethnographic "kaleidoscope".

          In ethnolinguistics, the term collocation refers to various stereotyped behaviors (customs, rituals) reinforced by tradition that are expressed by a solid linguistic unit. The Svan is characterized by the richness, variety, and archaicness of vocabulary, phraseology, and collocations depicting different traditions and customs.    

          In Kartvelology, it is considered that Svan is the most archaic among the Kartvelian languages. Accordingly, the ethnolinguistic research of Svan phraseology and collocations related to customs and rituals provides an opportunity to draw extremely interesting conclusions.

          The Svan collocations related to Limoorev are:  Ghed I Samartal (ღედ ი სამართალ) – Law; Moorew Mare (მოორევ მაარე) - Judge, case settler, mediator; Limoorew (ლიმოორევ) - Judgment, sentencing, justification, mediation; Bachi Liljeni (ბაჩი ლილჯენი) – “Planting a stone, Laying the Stone” - judgment, sett­l­ement of the case, the end of mediation; Litsvri (ლიწვრი) - Blood Revenge (Blood Feud); Limbanaal (ლიმბანაალ) - Swearing during mediation (cf. Ligvne (ლი­ღ­ვნე)- swearing a dear person, meaning: I swear); Very Makdeni (ვერი მქდენი) - A traitor; Lichviibe (ლიჩვიიბე) - oppression, scorn;  Limtsodaal (ლიმწოდაალ) - Justification, self-righteousness, mediaton; Naertgulemi Maghvra (ნაერთგულემი მაღვრა) - Oath of Loyalty.

          The publication offers an ethnolinguistic analysis of collocations, delving into the context, structure, and semantics surrounding their usage. The study explores the intricate interplay of phraseology, revealing that in Svan, collocations exhibit diverse structures, encompassing both verb components and Oden house structures.

          Within Kartvelology, Svan is regarded as the most archaic among the Kar­t­ve­lian languages. Consequently, the ethnolinguistic examination of Svan phraseology, particularly those associated with law, customs, and rituals, opens the door to compelling conclusions.