isla-

This lexeme is found in a metrical inscription that has not been dated accurately.

[D.S.]

Buckler 1924a:29 reads islạạν̣, whereas Meriggi 1935a:107 n. 90 reads islạạṣ based on Buckler’s photo (followed by Gusmani 1964a:256). From a linguistic perspective, the reading with -ν̣ as suggested by Buckler is not possible, because the geminate -aa- tells us that the word is oxytone and a stressed vowel -a- before the nasal -ν turns to either -ã or -ẽ. Therefore, Meriggi’s reading is adopted.

[D.S.]

Meriggi 1935a:107 compares islaa- with Lyd. išl(i), which is no longer acceptable, since s- und š- have a complementary distribution (also outdated Meriggi 1936a:287). If we analyze the word morphologically, it is tempting to see an agent noun in -la- c. (cf. Sasseville 2014-2015a:117f.), derived from a verb *is-. A connection with CLuw. iš-^(ti) ‘to sit’ is possible, but unprovable due to the fragmentary state of the context. Differently, a root sla- with an epenthetic i- is also tempting but loses credibility in face of initial clusters such as šλ- (e.g. šλẽcad, f-ẽn-šλipid). An etymological relation to the Lydian word isa- of obscure meaning is possible, but unprovable. Consequently, no semantic assignment is provided here.

[D.S.]

No reconstruction possible.

[D.S.]