/taTu-/, tá-tu-

This lexeme is attested five times in inscriptions from Emirgazi, dating to the 13^th century BCE.

[AH.B.]

It is possible that the above table should contain two more forms from the same set of inscriptions, viz. 〈tá-tu〉 found at EMİRGAZİ 1A, §14 and EMİRGAZİ 1C, §14, which may be a dat./loc. sg., cf. Hawkins 1995a:88, 95f.In his translation, Hawkins 1995a:89 implies a further possibility for the putative 〈tá-tu〉 at §14, viz. a nom./acc. pl. of a neuter noun, which is morphologically plausible. However, none of the EMİRGAZİ 1 inscriptions show overt use of the neuter particle /-sa, -za/, rendering it unlikely that the noun 〈tá-tu-sa〉 at §17 and §21 could represent a neuter singular /taTu=sa/. However, the syntax of the two clauses suggests that it should actually be parsed as belonging together with the signs following it and form a reduplicated verb, see /taTuttaTu(wa)-⁽ⁱ⁾/ ‘(verb denoting punitive action)’.

[A.P.] [AH.B.]

The word is, like its cognate verb, attested in just a single set of inscriptions, where it appears in the apodosis of protective formulae. Since it seems to function as the subject complement for a financial punishment, Hawkins 1995a:96f. considers a meaning such as ‘retribution’ vel sim. possible. Contextually, this is entirely suitable, but cannot be further specified for the time being.The putative link with /tu(wa)-⁽ⁱ⁾/ ‘to put’ proposed by Yakubovich (pers. comm.) supports such an assignment as well. EMİRGAZİ 1A, §17 reads: a-wa/i MONS.ASCIA SCALPRUM-sa tá-tu-sa *a-sa-tu, approx. /a=wa … manas taTus astu/, meaning ‘(But if anyone offends Mount Axe), one mina shall be the compensation (?)’ (cf. Hawkins 2000a:88f.).

[AH.B.]

The word is likely a common gender noun (cf. the discussion under Forms above) with a stem in /u/. If Yakubovich’s (pers. comm.) hypothesis is correct, it represents a reduplication based on the verb /tu(wa)-⁽ⁱ⁾/ ‘to put’.

[AH.B.]

1. /taTuttaTu(wa)-⁽ⁱ⁾/