ზრდილობა-თავაზის ქართული ლექსიკის სწავლების რამდენიმე ასპექტი (მობოდიშების ლექსიკური ფორმულები)

ანოტაცია

The aim of this paper is to explore the semantic nuances of polite forms in the Georgian language within the context of teaching Georgian as a foreign language. Scientific literature indicates that “in modern Georgian, expressions related to apologies, as well as the verb “forgive me” and the adverb “excuse me” are common” (Zekalashvili, 2022, p. 5). This issue is relevant because foreign speakers often struggle to understand the appropriate contexts for using polite forms due to the semantic confusion surrounding “sorry” and “excuse me”. From the perspective of integrating into Georgian society, foreign language students must consider the etiquette characteristic of various social strata in our country. For instance, it is considered unacceptable for Georgians to refer to an unknown or older person as “man” or “woman”, as these terms carry negative connotations that may be perceived differently in other linguistic cultures. In Georgian, terms like “ma’am” and “sir” are necessary when addressing a boss or stranger. When a foreign speaker hears “sorry,” they may attempt to determine which context is appropriate from four possible options: “sorry,” “if possible,” “excuse me,” and “please.” This distinction is crucial, as in teaching, these forms can sometimes share a meaning, while individually they have distinct semantics. These lexemes can be encountered in various situations, such as in transport or at a shopping center: “Excuse me,” or “Sorry, could you give me a ride?”; “Excuse me, is it ‘cash’ or card?” In such cases, they serve as polite expressions (excuse me) rather than apologies (sorry). In other contexts, these words have specific meanings: “sorry” conveys forgiveness, as in “I’m sorry, I’m late,” while “excuse me” does not imply forgiveness, as in “Excuse me, take this.” Saba’s dictionary defines “sorry” as a way to thank a person through words and actions, while “excuse me” is defined as inappropriate for human interaction. In the Georgian language, “sorry” is described as expressing regret and seeking forgiveness for one’s inappropriate behavior or speech, while “excuse me” conveys an apology. There are instances when “sorry” and “excuse me” both imply forgiveness, but they also have independent meanings depending on the context. The intonation factor, indicated by a punctuation mark (!), is significant as it can convey a command. The phrases “if possible,” “please,” and “excuse me” should also be noted, as in certain contexts they can share meanings with “sorry” and “excuse me.” For example, “if you can/sorry/excuse me,” or “please/excuse me.” Clearly, these analytical forms serve as expressions of politeness. It should be emphasized that “if possible,” when taken alone, can imply the semantics of possibility (i.e., it can be understood as “if it is possible”). The phrase “if possible” may also appear in some texts as “please.” The question of which form to choose arises naturally: which is acceptable? Depending on the situation, when asking someone for something, one might say, “Please…” and to convey politeness, one could add a phrase like “if possible,” e.g., “I will pay by card if possible.” In this report, we will analyze “excuse me,” “sorry,” and “forgive me,” contrasting these forms while considering their historical context, orthographic norms, and intonation patterns. In conclusion, it can be stated that throughout its history, the Georgian language has developed unique words that share common meanings in specific contexts, while also possessing distinct meanings when considered separately. This complexity poses challenges for learners, and it is essential that we account for all aspects and clarify each word-form according to its context, thereby alleviating difficulties for foreign learners.