/zikkuna(/i)-/, zi-ku-na-
‘(unknown)’
- Language
- Hieroglyphic Luwian
- Grammar
- subst, gender unknown
- ID
- 1418
1. Individual Anatolian Languages
1.1 Hieroglyphic Luwian
/zikkuna(/i)-/, zi-ku-na-
‘(unknown)’1.1.1Transmission
A hapax legomenon, this word can be found on one of the letters discovered in, but not originating from Assur. The text dates to the 8th century BCE.
[AH.B.]
1.1.2Forms
| abl./instr. | /zikkunadi/ | zi-ku-na-ti | ASSUR letter f+g, §6 (Assur) |
Alternatively, the form in ASSUR letter f+g, §6 may be analysed as a dat./loc. sg., but contextually an abl./instr. appears to be more likely.
[AH.B.]
1.1.3Graphic Features
1.1.3.1Phonological Interpretation
The phonological interpretation of this word is partially unclear for lack of cognates either in HLuw. or any of the other Anatolian languages, which would help to elucidate the quality of the velar stop, although the general loss of the voiced velar in Luwian renders /-kk-/ highly probable. If the form is indeed an abl./instr., then the shape of its ending is interpreted correctly.
[AH.B.]
1.1.4Meaning
This word still remains without a semantic interpretation, cf. already Hawkins 1980b:118 who leaves it untranslated. Without further data, it is likely to remain thus, because it appears in an ill-understood passage in ASSUR letter f+g. The preceding clause is wholly unclear, as is part of the following clause, and the clause in questions contains at least one unknown word besides /zikkuna-/. What can be said, however, is that the clause constitutes a command directed at the addressee, because it contains a verb in the 2sg. imperative. It seems that the addressee is to prevent something or someone from dying from /zikkuna-/ (after Hawkins 1980b:118), which points to a negative condition. It remains unclear, though, if the condition is external or internal to those afflicted, and thus nothing more specific can be said at this point.
[AH.B.]
1.1.5Origin
No etymology possible.
[AH.B.]