Svan language

Svan
ლუშნუ ნინ Lušnu nin
Pronunciation[ˈɫuʃnu nin]
Native toGeorgia
RegionSvaneti
Abkhazia
EthnicitySvans
Native speakers
14,000 (2015)[1]
Georgian script
Language codes
ISO 639-3sva
Glottologsvan1243
ELPSvan
Svan is classified as Definitely Endangered by the UNESCO Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger
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Svan (ლუშნუ ნინ lušnu nin; Georgian: სვანური ენა, romanized: svanuri ena) is a Kartvelian language spoken in the western Georgian region of Svaneti primarily by the Svan people.[2][3] With its speakers variously estimated to be between 30,000 and 80,000, the UNESCO designates Svan as a "definitely endangered language".[4] It is of particular interest because it has retained many features that have been lost in the other Kartvelian languages.

  1. ^ Svan at Ethnologue (18th ed., 2015) (subscription required)
  2. ^ Levinson, David. Ethnic Groups Worldwide: A Ready Reference Handbook. Phoenix: Oryx Press, 1998. p 34
  3. ^ Tuite, Kevin (1991–1996). "Svans". In Friedrich, Paul; Diamond, Norma (eds.). Encyclopedia of World Cultures. Vol. VI. Boston, Mass.: G.K. Hall. p. 343. ISBN 0-8168-8840-X. OCLC 22492614.
  4. ^ UNESCO Interactive Atlas of the World’s Languages in Danger