PhD in Philology
Senior Research Fellow, Head of the Department of Lexicology
Arnold Chikobava Institute of Linguistics, Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University
Tbilisi, Georgia
ORCID: 0009-0002-9749-2648
PhD in Philology
Senior Research Fellow, Head of the Department of Lexicology
Arnold Chikobava Institute of Linguistics, Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University
Tbilisi, Georgia
ORCID: 0009-0002-9749-2648
Viticulture-Related Toponymy in Georgia: A Study of Cultural and Linguistic Heritage, Prospects for Use, and Popularization
Toponymy is a linguistic archive, passed down through generations, enduring over centuries, and preserving valuable information from both linguistic and extralinguistic perspectives. Most toponyms are coined by ethnic groups historically inhabiting specific territories; thus, the scientific analysis of toponyms serves as a significant source for exploring a country’s history, culture, natural environment, traditional lifeways, and ethnic dynamics in a complex and integrated manner. Although toponymy has been the subject of several important studies in Kartvelology, there is a growing need to develop new directions of research, including: (1) the analysis of toponyms from a cultural perspective; (2) the practical application of research findings (in education, tourism, agriculture, and beyond); and (3) the popularization of this knowledge among the broader public. The present study focuses on toponyms derived from the root "vineyard" (venakhi in Georgian). The analysis demonstrates that such toponyms are widely attested across almost every region of historical Georgia, including mountainous areas. These names are also documented in Old Georgian written sources as well as in the toponymic systems of other Kartvelian languages (such as Megrelian-Laz and Svan). Notably, while many of these toponyms no longer reflect the presence of an actual vineyard, they retain essential information about the historical distribution of grape cultivation, vineyard management, and traditional agricultural practices. The naming models associated with vineyards are based on common Kartvelian word-formation patterns (e.g., na-venakh-ev-i, venakh-eb-i, venakh-ian-i, venakh-ovan-i, etc.), though regional specificities are also evident (e.g., Kakhetian na-venakh-r-ev-i). In addition to venakhi, the toponymic corpus reveals other productive roots associated with viticulture, such as baga and fudze. The findings clearly show that vineyard cultivation was widespread throughout the territory of historical Georgia from ancient times and served as a cornerstone of the Georgian traditional economy. The forthcoming electronic atlas of vineyard-related microtoponyms is envisioned as a visual and scholarly representation of this legacy. This material holds significant potential for educational and public engagement purposes. Particularly noteworthy is the initiative “Georgia Seen Through Toponyms”, within which informal lessons — such as “Let’s Go See the Vineyard” — conducted at several Sunday schools sparked considerable interest and laid a solid foundation for further development of the topic. Scientific Innovation and Practical Significance This research is innovative both in terms of its subject matter and its methodology. For the first time, vineyard-related toponyms are being analyzed systematically from a cultural-linguistic perspective, framing toponymy as an evolving part of Georgia’s intangible cultural heritage. The study integrates diachronic-synchronic linguistic analysis with field-based geographic and cartographic modeling. A major novelty lies in the practical component — the creation of a digital atlas of vineyard-related microtoponyms and the incorporation of these findings into non-formal educational platforms
Keywords: Toponymy of Georgia, cultural and linguistic heritage, viticulture, popularization.