Linguostylistic Aspects of a Guram Rcheulishvili’s story “Batareka Chincharauli”

Abstract

Guram Rcheulishvili is one of the most prominent figures in the history of modern Georgian prose—an author whose works are distinguished by emotional intensity, vivid imagery, and an individual narrative style. The short story “Bagthareka Chincharauli” occupies a special place in his literary legacy not only because of its thematic depth and the unconventional nature of its protagonist, but also due to its linguistic features, which create a distinctive, dynamic, and poetic atmosphere characteristic of Rcheulishvili’s writing.

This article primarily focuses on the author’s linguistic and stylistic aspects that contribute to the unique artistic value of the text. The author’s language is highly expressive and aims not merely to convey information, but to produce a strong emotional impact on the reader.

The text is rich in archaic vocabulary, which emphasizes the antiquity and traditional nature of the Khevsurian world, such as: “ჭიუხვები“ [chiyukhebi] (rocky peaks), “ხატობები [khatobebi] (ritual festivals), “ჭირისუფლები“ [chirispulebi] (mourners), “ჯვარპერანგიანი ვაჟები“ [jvarperangiani vazhebi] (cross-clad warriors). Ethnographic terms are also frequent, including “თემი“ [temi] (community), „სისხლის გამოსყიდვა“ [siskhlis gamoskidva] (blood redemption/blood ransom), and „ცხვარ-ძროხის გადახდა“ [tskhvar-zrokhis gadaxda] (payment in sheep and cattle) lending the narrative documentary precision.

At the same time, the author employs evaluative and emotionally charged words such as „საზარელი“ [sazareli] (terrible), „დამამცირებელი“ [damamtsirebeli] (humilating), „ულოგიკო ვნებები“ [ulogiko vnebebi] (illogical passions) which intensify the subjective and judgmental tone of the text.

The short story is composed of both simple and complex sentences, allowing ideas to develop gradually and in layered form.

The text is saturated with figurative and expressive devices, including metaphors—for example, “„ვაკის სამყაროდან მოწყვეტილი ცხოვრობდა ეს ხალხი“ (these people lived cut off from the world of the plains) expressing isolation and spiritual separation. Epithets such as „ციცაბო ფერდობები“ [tsitsabo ferdobebi](steep slopes),  „ბასრი ჭიუხები“ [basri tchiukhvebi](sharp cliffs) and „სქელტანიანი კანონთა წიგნი“ [sqeltaniani kanonta wigni] (a thick-bodied book of laws) enhance visual and emotional impact. The use of antithesis—poetry versus prose—expresses the opposition between the spiritual and the everyday worlds.

Particularly noteworthy is the fusion of canonical and poetic vocabulary: juridical terms „კოდექსი“ [kodeksi](code),  „კანონი“ [kanoni] (law), „იურისპრუდენციული“ [iurisprudentsiuli] (jurisprudential) collide with poetic expression, reflecting the tragic paradox of Khevsurian life—a rigid order alongside uncontrollable passion.

Overall, the highly artistic and emotionally charged text, with its archaic and ethnographic vocabulary, complex syntax, and rich use of tropes, collectively creates an impressive portrayal of Khevsureti’s harsh, tragic, and poetic world.