Classification of Caucasian Languages

From: Maximilian Hartmuth
Message: 1127
Date: 2000-01-24

Dear Members,

Maybe some of you could answer me a question. I`ve been wondering on the
different classification schemes for "caucasian languages", so maybe you
could tell me why you find one system more appropriate than the other, or
what is the newest level of research, or which classifications are
anachronistic.
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1) This is most probably the oldest and out-of date source.
It speaks of a "Caucasian Language Group", consisting of
a) The Kartveli-Languages (Georgian, Laz etc)
b) Westcaucasian (Adygo-Abkhaz Group)
c) East-Caucasian (Dagestani (Avar, Lezghi,...) and Nakhi
(Chechen-Ingush etc))

But this one mustn`t be discussed, since it`s obviously wrong.
(But i think the book i got it from wasn`t too old,...i don`t
remember)
So let`s put the Kartveli aside and focus on the Northern-Caucasian.
-------------------------------------------------------------
2) "North Caucasian" Language Group (as in the "Ethnologue")
a) North Central (equals the "Nakhi" group with Chechen, Ingush...)
b) North East (equals the "Dagestani" group with Lezghi, Avar...)
c) North West (equals the Westcaucasians, aformentioned)
---------------------------------------------------------------
3) 3 Caucasian Language Families:
a) Kartvelian/South-Caucasian
b) Northwest-Caucasian (Abkhaz-Adyghe, or "West Caucasian" in 2.)
c) Northeast-Caucasian (Dagestani and Nakhi)

So, this one equals the first one, but lists the languages as coming from
3
different language groups.
---------------------------------------
Can you help me ?
I just don`t know if i should speak/think about "Northern" or
"Northeastern
and Northwestern" language-groups or own families.

By the way....
Isn`t south-caucasian a rather stupid term ? First, it rather implies that
there is a caucasian family of which it is a sub-group, and secondly: Have
you ever been on the south of a mountain ? (Transcaucasian would be rather
fitting) Has "Kartvelian" maybe already repulsed "South-Caucasian" ?

Do Kartvelian Languages really have absolutely nothing in common
with the Northern Caucasian ? (or "Northwestern" and "Northeastern",...
see
?).......Since Kartvelian is included in the Nostratic theory, and the
northern ones in the Dene-Caucasian. (or isn`t Kartvelian allroundly
accepted in Nostratic?)

Then "Dene-Caucasian" is a rather unfitting term too, because it says
"Caucasian" but contains only the northern ones.
(-> Na-Dene Northeastern and Northwestern Caucasian ???)

I really had to ask this someone,
Nevermind, i hope i didn`t bore you with such basic things.

best regards,
maximilian
(Vindobona)


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