Vol. 17 (2024): Contemporary Issues of Literary Criticism Literatures of Small Countries and Challenges of the Modern Global World
World Literature and National Literatures

Davit Guramishvili’s Georgian Language

Khatuna Nishnianidze
Tbilisi Theological Academy and Seminary

Published 2024-12-20

Keywords

  • David Guramishvili,
  • „Davitiani“,
  • Georgian language,
  • „Georgian Chronotope

Abstract

Davit Guramishvili’s Georgian language embodies the “Georgian Chronotope,” emphasizing linguistic consciousness as central to national identity and resilience. Despite decades away from Georgia, he preserved an extraordinary connection to his native tongue, viewing it as timeless and vital for spiritual and national salvation. Guramishvili desacralized the old linguistic style, introducing a renewed, accessible paradigm akin to the simplicity of the Gospels. Guramishvili expresses his ideas in verse, mimicking works like “The Book of Psalms” and “The Knight in the Panther’s Skin“. Guramishvili’s language embraces and unites the Georgian linguistic (pagan and Christian) satiotemporal visions, rhythms and intonations, as well as foreign tunes, sounds and motives.