Terms of Kinship in Historical and Modern Meskheti (Comparative Analysis of Our Collected Materials)

Abstract

The article investigates the linguistic structure of kinship terminology in the historical and geographical region of Meskheti, based on empirical data from the Adjarian and Imerkhevi dialects. The research aims to reveal linguistic, sociocultural, and semantic transformations within the kinship lexicon that reflect the ethnolinguistic dynamics of the region. The study employs descriptive, historical-comparative, and ethnolinguistic methodologies, relying on field materials collected during expeditions conducted between 1992 and 2024.
The analysis demonstrates that Meskhetian kinship terminology represents a synthesis of archaic Georgian lexical layers and external (primarily Turkish) influences. Borrowed terms such as kardashi, bibi, gelin, dede, hala, and kirve have been assimilated into the local linguistic system, frequently undergoing semantic adaptation. Particular attention is devoted to terms denoting clan and genealogical structures (gobegi, ch’ipi, motchdoma), which illustrate the continuity and resilience of the traditional Georgian family model.
The findings confirm that, despite external linguistic interference, the Meskhetian dialectal environment has preserved the essential semantic and cultural codes of the Georgian language. Consequently, kinship terminology functions not only as a linguistic category but also as a key marker of cultural memory and ethnolinguistic identity.