Ebook: Georgian: A Learner's Grammar (Essential Grammars)

While I understand that Georgian textbooks are a small commodity, it does not mean that one should buy anything about Georgian. I do have a copy of 'Georgian: A Learner's Grammar,' as well as 'Beginner's Georgian,' 'Georgian: A Reading Grammar' and 'Georgian Language and Culture.' As far as this book is concerned, I was not aware of it's short-comings when I buy it. Though I do have the 2005 version as apposed to the earlier version. The 2005 version has been 'revised and corrected' and two Georgian speakers have proof-read the book, but I wouldn't know how much has changed between the two versions and if it has been improved to be a viable textbook. The grammar is comprehensive (though I don't know how correct it is, yet). The explanations are still a little dense and hard to follow. The book attempts to be very through with the grammar that is introduced. I think that is the books greatest flaw. It tries to present so much in such a short time. And the explanations are not the clearest for non-linguists. Also there is no audio for the book. Audio is essential for anyone learning another language, especially one this different from English.

I find it very compelling that Dodona Kiziria (a professor of Georgian language, and native speaker!), wrote a review herself, and pointed out the short-comings that us learners could never see ourselves. My thanks to her. Though she did write it about the '96 version, not the revised '05 version.

I would steer people towards the other books I cited in my review first, and then if they wish, to use this book (with caution) after getting a good foundation in the language. Admittedly Aronson's two books (the Reading Grammar and Language and Culture) are a bit hard to come-by now-a-days. Especially Aronson's (and Kiziria's) book 'Georgian Language and Culture,' which last time I checked was out of print. I was lucky enough to get it on Amazon's marketplace. But Kiziria's book 'Beginner's Georgian' (which has audio) should be easy enough to find.