IN CONNECTION WITH FOUNDATIONAL ISSUES OF ONOMASTICS, BRANCH OF LINGUISTICS, IN GEORGIA
Keywords:
Georgian onomastics, Alexander Ghlonti, the founder of Georgian onomastics, research carried out by TSU toponymy laboratoryAbstract
Initial interest in onomastic issues in Georgia can be traced back to the 18thcentury historian and geographer Vakhushti Bagrationi. Subsequently, pleiades of scholars became intrigued by this field. However, the formal establishment of onomastics as a distinct field of linguistics in Georgia, marked by systematic management, is credited to Professor Alexander Ghlonti, rather than the toponymy laboratory established at TSU in 1969. This attribution, made by members of the toponymy laboratory at the beginning of the 21st century, is considered inaccurate. Although P. Tskhadaia acknowledges Professor Alexander Ghlonti as the founder of Georgian onomastics, two more professors, Z. Chumburidze and I. Maisuradze, are mentioned alongside him (“Introduction to Onomastics”, 2005, 14). A chronological comparison of the onomastic works of these three scholars reveals that, in all fields of onomastics, their contributions are preceded by the works of Al. Ghlonti. Moreover, Ghlonti’s priority is evident even in comparison to the works of the members of the TSU toponymy laboratory. We have identified another issue: in the historical context of the planned management of onomastic research in Georgia, the toponymy laboratory emphasizes the antecedence and superiority of its first head, Parnaoz Ertelishvili. Ertelishvili took on this significant national task and would undoubtedly have fulfilled his duty brilliantly, but unfortunately, he passed away within two and a half years. Throughout the existence of the onomastic laboratory, except for a few years, Prof. Paata Tskhadaia has been the leader of onomastic activities. Famous scholars of the 20th century substantiate that Prof. Alexander Ghlonti was the founder of onomastics in Georgia. A few of them include: *Professors Leo Kvatchadze, G. Nebieridze, and Z. Sarjveladze: “Al. Ghlonti laid the foundation of Georgian… onomatology”. * Prof. I. Megrelidze: “Mr. Alexander (Ghlonti) is the founder of Georgian Onomatology...” * Acad. Sergi Jikia: “his name is closely associated with the formation of Georgian anthroponymy as an independent system”. 56 ქ. გოდერძიშვილი * Ilia Maisuradze: The book ‘Georgian lexicology’ is being published in the Georgian language for the first time... Onomatology is considered a part of the field of lexicology” * Professors. Zurab Kiknadze, and Ruben Enukashvili: “Professor Alexander Ghlonti started the monographic research of onomastics in our country.” After these words from the renowned scholars, it becomes evident that the assertion linking the initiation of in-depth scientific research on onomastics - toponymy and anthroponymy - in Georgia to three eminent linguists—Al. Ghlonti, Z. Chumburidze, and I. Maisuradze—is a misunderstanding. It is noteworthy that Acad. Shota Dzidziguri, the founder of the toponymy laboratory at TSU in 1969, identifies Prof. Alexander Ghlonti as the founder of onomastics in Georgia, citing his works such as ‘Georgian Lexicology’ (1964), the ‘Toponymic Researches’ series (11 books), and ‘Georgian Proper Names’ (1967).