/kaPara(/i)-/, (*187)ka-pa+ra/i-
‘(a commodity)’
- Language
- Hieroglyphic Luwian
- Grammar
- subst, c.
- ID
- 2376
1. Individual Anatolian Languages
1.1 Hieroglyphic Luwian
/kaPara(/i)-/, (*187)ka-pa+ra/i-
‘(a commodity)’1.1.1Transmission
This hapax is attested in a single inscription from Tabal, dating to the late 8th century BCE.
[A.P.]
1.1.2Forms
| acc. sg. | /kaPara/in/ | (*187)ka-pa+ra/i-na-˹’˺ | KIRŞEHİR, §20 (Tabal) |
In the editio princeps of the KIRŞEHİR letter, Akdoğan & Hawkins 2010a:3, 9 transliterate the word as 〈*187(-)ka-pa+ra/i-na-˹’˺〉, but mention in the discussion that the first sign is very likely a logographic determinative.
[A.P.] [AH.B.]
1.1.3Graphic Features
1.1.3.1Phonological Interpretation
With only one attestation and no secure etymological links so far, the phonological interpretation of this word remains provisional for the moment. Giusfredi 2020a:55 suggests a connection with Hittite túgkappari- ‘tunic’ vel sim. (cf. HED K:58), interpreting the form hence as /kappar(i)-/. However, the spelling permits also other interpretations as /kaPar(i)-/, /kaPra-/, and /kaPr(i)-/. Only further evidence can provide the necessary information.
The sign *187 is usually found with the words /hartu-/ ‘clan’ and /hartuwi(ya)-/ ‘relatives’, where it represents the beginning or most of the phonological form of the respective words. It is marginally possible that it should be understood as part of the phonological form with the present lexeme as well.
[AH.B.]
1.1.4Meaning
The semantic interpretation of the word suffers from a lack of secure etymological links identified so far. Giusfredi 2020a:55 proposes Hittite túgkappari- ‘tunic’ vel sim. (cf. HED K:58) as a cognate, but the context is too unclear to permit an assessment, and the use of the sign *187 does not lend any support to such a meaning. In fact, all of the contents of the KIRŞEHİR letter are somewhat obscure (cf. Akdoğan & Hawkins 2010a:10), but appear to touch on some economic matters among other things. Towards the end of the letter, §20 runs: CRUS2-nú-pa-wa/i (*187)ka-pa+ra/i-na-˹´˺ NEG2 CAPERE-na *69(-)sà-tara/i-ti PUGNUS.PUGNUS-i-wa/i, approx. /nanun=ba=wa kaPari(/a?)n na lammin …-st(ar)radi …-iwi/, possibly translating as ‘But now I hold the k. not taken with *69, (it/they? support me)’ (cf. Akdoğan & Hawkins 2010a:4, 9). While it appears reasonably clear that /kappara(/i)-/ denotes a commodity, it cannot be said whether it is a garment or something else, and the suggested etymological connection is hence equally hypothetical for the moment.
[AH.B.]
1.1.5Stem
The word is clearly a common gender noun, but its stem final vowel remains unclear, since 〈+ra/i〉 (sign *383) is vocalically underspecified. It may hence either be an a-stem or conform to the i-mutated pattern. In the absence of assured cognate links, nothing further can be said about its morphology at present.
[AH.B.]