Paradigmatic Models of Noun Declension in Current Georgian

Abstract

In current Georgian nouns have different declension paradigms. Every noun has its own place within the system; the question is to find this place and present a full picture. One unique property (a semantic peculiarity may serve as such) that differentiates a particular noun of one group from that of another, is sufficient for the purpose of classification. A group may be represented just by one member; e.g.: dro (time) has a unique paradigm with no analogy in any of the paradigms.

Stating declension types means identifying different existing paradigms; i.e.: there are as many declension types as there are paradigms.

The paper argues that in current Georgian there are around 20 varieties of noun declension.