Aims

The Megrelian Language Corpus (MLC) aims to stimulate various approaches to linguistic and socio-cultural studies of Megrelian texts and to foster a deeper understanding of the context they represent. The MLC consists of a digital collection of texts, audio and video materials.

Main Objectives

• The conservation of Megrelian spoken texts and the compilation of a morphologically annotated corpus, which includes material related to the recent socio-cultural situation of Megrelian, obtained through linguistic fieldwork;
• The creation of a sketch grammar and the compilation of a dictionary using the Fieldwork Language Explorer (FLeX).

Methodology

The digital documentation and archiving process was carried out in two main stages: fieldwork conceptualization and data collection, followed by laboratory analysis and data processing.

Stage I: Fieldwork Conceptualization and Data Collection

The project began with the planning and implementation of expeditions, including route selection and risk assessment. Target informants were identified, ensuring diversity in age and gender to create a balanced corpus covering various topics and genres. Throughout this process, video, audio, and textual data were systematically collected to ensure comprehensive documentation.

Stage II: Laboratory Analysis and Data Processing

Following data collection, a structured process was implemented for analysis and storage. Linguistic transcriptions followed the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), while glossing adhered to the Leipzig Glossing Rules and Eurotyp Guidelines.

The finalized data were made available online through The Megrelian Language Corpus (MLC).

Click here to use the Online Converter for Megrelian.

Texts & Words Statistics (using chosen texts)

Total number of unique words (types):	60954
Megrelian:	30578
Megrelian (International Phonetic Alphabet):	30371
Total word count (tokens):	97688
Megrelian:	97688
Megrelian (International Phonetic Alphabet):	97565
Total number of sentences (segments):	9261

A Research Project & Financial Support

This work was supported by the Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation of Georgia (SRNSFG) [FR-21-993-3, Annotated Corpus of the Megrelian Language with Sketch Grammar and Online Dictionary]. Additionally, co-funding from Ilia State University enabled us to host the website online and ensure its IT support. All ideas expressed herein are those of the authors and do not represent the opinions of the Foundation or the University.

Copyright information

The Corpus of Megrelian Language (MLC) by Rusudan Gersamia, Irina Lobzhanidze is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0. This licence allows users to copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format, as well as remix, transform, and build upon it, provided that their contributions are distributed under the same license. The primary restriction is that the material must not be used for commercial purposes.

In future all contributions to the MLC should be submitted to the editors for review at rgersamia[@]iliauni.edu.ge or irina_lobzhanidze[@]iliauni.edu.ge and will be distributed under the same license.

If you want to cite material from the MLC, please, copy and paste the following information: Gersamia, R., Lobzhanidze, I., ed. The Megrelian Language Corpus. Megrelian Language Corpus, 4 April. 2022(v1). Web, https://xmf.iliauni.edu.ge/

Acknowledgments

This project, aimed at preserving the endangered Megrelian language, was led by principal investigators Professor Dr. Rusudan Gersamia and Professor Dr. Irina Lobzhanidze.

We also acknowledge the invaluable contributions of project team members Nino Tsulaia, MA and Tamuna Skhulukhia, MA, whose hard work was crucial to the project's progress.

Throughout various phases of the project, several individuals provided their expertise and support: Professor Dr. Zaal Kikvidze, Tamar Gogia, PhD, and Mariam Nadaraia, MA. Their involvement significantly enriched the project's outcomes.

We are grateful to the volunteers — Khatia Danelia, BA, Khatia Kobalia, BA, Lika Jalaghonia, BA, , Sopiko Tsertsvadze, BA, and Lasha Kvlividze, BA — whose enthusiasm and commitment considerably advanced our efforts.