Warning: South Ossetia is considered the most dangerous and unstable part of Georgia and it is not a recommended tourist destination. The sporadic fighting between the central government and secessionists has waned since the open conflict between Russian and Georgian troops. But the regular violence and banditry that persists, facilitated by the general lawlessness of the region, is a much bigger threat than the skirmishes ever were. Yes, Russian peacekeepers control the area militarily, but they are not an administrative police force—you will not be able to count on them for help. Southern Shida Kartli is a perfectly safe travel destination, but it is generally inadvisable to travel much farther north than Gori.
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Language usage within Shida Kartli varies by region, principally across the north-south/Ossete-Georgian divide. In the southern parts of the region under Georgian control, people principally speak Georgian, but a large minority also speaks Russian. In the north, Ossetian is the language of the ethnic Ossetes, but many if not most Ossetes will also be conversant in Russian. Georgian is often understood, but due to the serious ethnic conflict, travelers attempting to speak Georgian within South Ossetia may encounter hostility.