The Functions of the Particles mxolod and mart’o in Georgian

Abstract

The paper discusses the meaning and functions of the Georgian lexical items mxolod and mart’o. It shows that both are focus particles which can substitute each other in particular contexts and that mxolod,unlike mart’o, can be negated and imply an additive reading. The paper further shows that mart’o can be categorized as an adverb additionally to its categorization as focus particle. As adverb it can function as adverbial or secondary predicate. Whereas mxolod and mart’o as focus particles relate to physical, countable items, mart’o can denote physical and spiritual properties. It follows from the bi-categorial status of mart’o that mart’o is more productive in word formation than mxolod.