Learning the Georgian language alphabet is a fundamental step in mastering Georgian, a Kartvelian language spoken primarily in Georgia. The Georgian alphabet is unique and distinct from the Latin and Cyrillic scripts, with its own set of characters. It consists of three writing systems: Mkhedruli, Asomtavruli, and Nuskhuri. However, Mkhedruli is the most widely used today. Understanding this alphabet is crucial for reading, writing, and speaking in Georgian. Here’s a detailed lesson to guide you through the Mkhedruli Georgian alphabet:

Overview of the Georgian Alphabet (Mkhedruli)

• Number of Letters: 33
• Script: Mkhedruli (modern script used for most contemporary purposes)
• Unique Features: Letters represent only consonants or vowels with no distinction between uppercase and lowercase.

The Letters of the Mkhedruli Georgian Alphabet

1. ა (a)

   • Pronunciation: Like ‘a’ in “father.”
   • Example: “ამბავი” (ambavi – story).

2. ბ (b)

   • Pronunciation: Like ‘b’ in “bed.”
   • Example: “ბავშვი” (bavshvi – child).

3. გ (g)

   • Pronunciation: Like ‘g’ in “go.”
   • Example: “გვინება” (gvineba – wine).

4. დ (d)

   • Pronunciation: Like ‘d’ in “dog.”
   • Example: “დღე” (dgh-e – day).

5. ე (e)

   • Pronunciation: Like ‘e’ in “bed.”
   • Example: “ენა” (ena – language).

6. ვ (v)

   • Pronunciation: Like ‘v’ in “van.”
   • Example: “ველი” (veli – field).

7. ზ (z)

   • Pronunciation: Like ‘z’ in “zoo.”
   • Example: “ზღვა” (zghva – sea).

8. თ (t)

   • Pronunciation: Like ‘t’ in “top.”
   • Example: “თავი” (tavi – head).

9. ი (i)

   • Pronunciation: Like ‘i’ in “machine.”
   • Example: “ისტორია” (istoria – history).

10. კ (k’)

    • Pronunciation: Ejective ‘k,’ similar to ‘k’ but pronounced with a simultaneous glottal stop.
    • Example: “კაცი” (k’atsi – man).

11. ლ (l)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘l’ in “lamp.”
    • Example: “ლამაზი” (lamazi – beautiful).

12. მ (m)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘m’ in “moon.”
    • Example: “მთა” (mta – mountain).

13. ნ (n)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘n’ in “noon.”
    • Example: “ნავი” (navi – ship).

14. ო (o)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘o’ in “more.”
    • Example: “ოჯახი” (ojakhi – family).

15. პ (p’)

    • Pronunciation: Ejective ‘p,’ similar to ‘p’ but pronounced with a simultaneous glottal stop.
    • Example: “პური” (p’uri – bread).

16. ჟ (zh)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘s’ in “pleasure.”
    • Example: “ჟურნალი” (zhurnali – journal).

17. რ (r)

    • Pronunciation: Rolled ‘r’ as in Spanish.
    • Example: “რეკა” (reka – river).

18. ს (s)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘s’ in “sun.”
    • Example: “სახლი” (sakhli – house).

19. ტ (t’)

    • Pronunciation: Ejective ‘t,’ similar to ‘t’ but pronounced with a simultaneous glottal stop.
    • Example: “ტომარა” (t’omara – axe).

20. უ (u)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘oo’ in “food.”
    • Example: “უბანი” (ubani – district).

21. ფ (p)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘p’ in “pan.”
    • Example: “ფერი” (peri – color).

22. ქ (k)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘k’ in “kite.”
    • Example: “ქვეყანა” (kveqana – country).

23. ღ (gh)

    • Pronunciation: Voiced velar fricative, similar to ‘r’ in French “parisien.”
    • Example: “ღვინო” (ghvino – wine).

24. ყ (q’)

    • Pronunciation: Uvular ejective, a unique sound not found in English.
    • Example: “ყავა” (q’ava – coffee).

25. შ (sh)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘sh’ in “sheep.”
    • Example: “შენ” (shen – you).

26. ჩ (ch)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘ch’ in “chop.”
    • Example: “ჩაი” (chai – tea).

27. ც (ts)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘ts’ in “cats.”
    • Example: “ცალი” (tsali – piece).

28. ძ (dz)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘dz’ in “adze.”
    • Example: “ძაღლი” (dzaghli – dog).

29. წ (ts’)

    • Pronunciation: Ejective ‘ts,’ a more forceful version of ‘ts.’
    • Example: “წითელი” (ts’iteli – red).

30. ჭ (ch’)

    • Pronunciation: Ejective ‘ch,’ a more forceful version of ‘ch.’
    • Example: “ჭიქა” (ch’ik’a – cup).

31. ხ (kh)

    • Pronunciation: A throaty ‘kh’, like ‘ch’ in the Scottish “loch.”
    • Example: “ხელი” (kheli – hand).

32. ჯ (j)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘j’ in “jeep.”
    • Example: “ჯიბე” (jibe – pocket).

33. ჰ (h)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘h’ in “hat.”
    • Example: “ჰაერი” (haeri – air).

Pronunciation Tips

• No Vowel/Consonant Pairing: Each Georgian letter represents either a vowel or a consonant, not both.
• Ejectives: Certain consonants are ejective, meaning they are pronounced with a burst of air. These include კ, პ, ტ, წ, ჭ, and ყ.
• No Distinction Between Uppercase and Lowercase: Georgian script does not differentiate between uppercase and lowercase in the same way as the Latin script.

Practice Exercises

• Listening and Speaking: Use audio resources or language learning apps to practice pronunciation.
• Writing Practice: Write down words using each letter to familiarize yourself with the script.
• Reading: Begin with simple texts to see these letters in context.

Additional Resources

• Language Learning Apps: Look for apps that offer Georgian language courses.
• Online Tutorials: Websites and YouTube channels may provide lessons in Georgian.
• Language Exchange: Engage with native speakers through language exchange platforms for conversational practice.

Conclusion

Mastering the Georgian alphabet is the first step towards fluency in the language. Regular practice in speaking, listening, reading, and writing is essential for effective learning. წარმატებები! (Success!)