Ethnologue

Svan

ISO 639-3

Alternate Names

Svanuri

Autonym

Lushnu

Population

14,000 (2015 J. Leclerc). Ethnic population: 15,000 (2000 A. Kibrik).

Location

Racha-Lochkhumi-Kvemo Svaneti region: Lentekhi municipality; Samegrelo-Zemo Svateni region: Mestiya municipality.

Language Status

7 (Shifting).

Classification

Dialects

Upper Bal, Lower Bal, Lashx, Lentex.

Language Use

All domains. Mainly adults. Positive attitudes. Also use Georgian [kat], Russian [rus].

Language Resources

Writing

Cyrillic script [Cyrl]. Georgian (Mkhedruli and Mtavruli) script [Geor]. Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Many Georgian [kat] speakers still claim Svan ethnicity (Salminen 2007). Christian.