The Laz Language (Lazuri)
Lazuri (also known as Lazuri nena, “the Laz tongue”) is a South Caucasian (Kartvelian) language spoken by the Laz people of the southeastern Black Sea coast. It belongs to the same language family as Georgian, Mingrelian and Svan, one of the most ancient and unique language families in the world.
Key Facts
| Language Family | Kartvelian (South Caucasian) |
| Branch | Zan (with Mingrelian) |
| Speakers | ~20,000–30,000 (fluent) |
| Writing System | Latin alphabet (since 1984) |
| UNESCO Status | Definitely Endangered |
| Dialects | Xopuri, Vizuri, Ardeşenuri, Atinuri |
| Related Languages | Mingrelian (closest), Georgian, Svan |
Lazuri is notable for its complex verbal morphology, its rich system of preverbs that indicate spatial relationships, and its ergative-absolutive case alignment, features shared with other Kartvelian languages. The language has a rich oral tradition of songs, stories, and proverbs, though it was not historically written.
Explore
- Laz Alphabet: the history and details of the Laz writing system.
Sample Phrases
| Lazuri | English | Turkish |
|---|---|---|
| Mçkva dobordinan! | Good morning! | Günaydın! |
| Dido merhaba! | Big hello! (Welcome!) | Çok merhaba! |
| Mu ren? | What is your name? | Adın ne? |
| Ma çkimi ren… | My name is… | Benim adım… |
| Nana | Mother | Anne |
| Baba | Father | Baba |
| Skani çkimi var! | I love you! | Seni seviyorum! |
| Didi maden! | Thank you very much! | Çok teşekkürler! |
Related Articles
- Introduction to the Laz Language (Lazuri): detailed article on Lazuri’s history, dialects, and preservation efforts