Georgian language is taught in collaboration with the Russian and East European Studies Unit at the Oxford School of Global and Area Studies, the course having transferred there in 2019 after over 25 years at the University Language Centre. Some students take the course to support other studies, perhaps Post Soviet politics or the turbulent medieval history of the region or because they have an interest in the remains of Greek settlements on the Black Sea coast. Others have developed an interest in Georgia outside their studies and some just enjoy the challenge that Georgian’s unique alphabet and complicated grammar presents! Because of this the tutor tries to customise the course materials to meet the interests of the students, especially for the more advanced students, who also have translation classes and it is planned that the second book of translations will be published in 2021, with a third in 2022 or 2023.
The Georgian resources of the Bodleian library are excellent having been established with a bequest from the Wardrop Foundation in the early 20th century. The Wardrop Foundation also supports the teaching. The Oriental Institute also houses a working library for students.
There is no examination and no credit, but the number of students has still reached an all time high of more than 30 in Michaelmas 2020!
For more information about the classes, timetable and syllabus, please visit:
https://www.rees.ox.ac.uk/georgian-language
https://rees.web.ox.ac.uk/georgian-language-students-and-translation-pro...