sana-
‘(unknown)’
- Language
- Lydian
- Grammar
- subst, common
- ID
- 1746
1. Individual Anatolian Languages
1.1 Lydian
sana-
‘(unknown)’1.1.1Transmission
This lexeme is found in an inscription written on a marble plate, which has not been dated accurately.
[D.S.]
1.1.2Forms
| acc. sg. | sanẽν | LW 45.4 (Kogamos valley) |
1.1.3Meaning
Due to its occurrence close to a curse formula and its status as the direct object of inal ‘to make’, Lyd. sanẽν was translated with ‘insult, harm (?)’ (Gusmani 1964a:200, followed by Eichner 1986b:205 n. 5, Gérard 2005a:129; outdated Meriggi 1935a:84 n. 25 ‘(a part of the grave)’, phonologically impossible ‘blood’ (comparing Hitt. ēšḫar) in Gusmani 1980a:94 citing Shevoroshkin 1978a:244). However, this sentence is not likely to be part of the curse formula, but rather connected to the preceding context. This would leave the protasis of the curse formula without the expected overt apodosis, which may simply be implied, a phenomenon known from other inscriptions (cf. LW 23.18-20, LW 54.2-4). Comparing the context of LW 45.3-4 with the one of LW 50.5, one rather expects the phrase with sanẽν to refer to something positive. From an etymological perspective, Eichner 1986b:205 n. 5 suggests a connection with Luw. /sann(a)i-(di)/ of debated semantics. Another possibility is a relation to Hitt. šanezzi- ‘excellent’, HLuw. /san(n)awi-/ ‘good’, which would yield the basic meaning ‘good (action)’ for Lyd. sana-. Until further evidence is unearthed, any semantic assignment must be considered provisional.
[D.S.]
1.1.4Stem
The Lydian word is an oxytone a-stem, which shows the letter -ẽ- before the nasal in the accusative singular (and dative/genitive plural).
[D.S.]