On the Reinterpretation of the Terms Denoting Evidential Tenses in the Kartvelian Languages

Abstract

In the Kartvelian (South Caucasian) languages Georgian, Megrelian, Laz and Svan, the tenses of Evidentiality are being attested, out of which a part is found  in all four languages, whereas the second part was developed only in the non- written languages - Megrelian, Laz and Svan. In the Linguistic literature, these tenses are referred to by different terms depending on the criterion which the scholar gives preference - morphology or semantics.

The article analyses the confirmed verbal forms of Evidentiality which are common for all four Kartvelian languages, as well as those found in the non- written languages - Megrelian, Laz and Svan; the traditional forms of Evidentiality are being displayed and an approximately accurate naming is being provided. The image of the terminological reinterpretation of the evidential verb forms is  clearly reflected by means of a special table; namely, the terminological diversity of each Kartvelian language is solved through using common terms for all Kartvelian languages. Such an approach eases the translation of the evidential verb forms into foreign languages.