/al(l)amis-/, á-lá/í-mí-
‘(unknown)’
- Language
- Hieroglyphic Luwian
- Grammar
- subst
- ID
- 3215
1. Individual Anatolian Languages
1.1 Hieroglyphic Luwian
/al(l)amis-/, á-lá/í-mí-
‘(unknown)’1.1.1Transmission
This hapax is attested in a letter from Assur, dating to the late 8th century BCE.
[AH.B.] [A.P.]
1.1.2Forms
| gen. sg. (?) | /al(l)amisas/ | á-lá/í-mí-sa-sa | ASSUR letter c, §3 (Assur) |
The attestation at ASSUR letter c, §3 is followed by a string of clitics: 〈-ha-wa/i+ra/i〉, approx. /ha=wa=di/ ‘and to you’ with the quotative particle intervening. While an analysis as a genitive is the most likely option, the form could represent a nom. sg. as well.
[A.P.]
1.1.3Graphic Features
1.1.3.1Phonological Intepretation
The phonological interpretation of this word is provisional, since its etymological links are unclear. Rieken & Yakubovich 2010a:212 assume /alamis-/ derived from a putative */ala-/ (?) ‘high’,The connection is tempting, since both feature an initial 〈á〉, although that does not in itself proove a connection, of course. but cf. the discussion of the meaning below. Besides a singleton or geminate lateral, an interpretation such as /al(l)imis(a)-/ vel sim. is also possible. Only additional data can elucidate the matter further.
[AH.B.]
1.1.4Meaning
The meaning of this word is unknown, although several proposals have been put forward. It is attested only once so far in ASSUR letter c, §3, where it is part of the introductory section: á-lá/í-mí-sa-sa-ha-wa/i+ra/i, approx. /al(l)amisas=ha=wa=di/, translating perhaps as ‘(Here, we’re in life), and to you (in a state of) al(l)am(m)is-. (Are you in life?)’ (cf. Waal 2016a:3 and Hawkins 2000a:535). Hawkins 2000a:545 cautiously considers ‘disgrace’ vel sim. for a possible interpretation, but leaves the word untranslated in the end. Rieken & Yakubovich 2010a:212 consider a meaning ‘arrogance’, but that does not appear to fit the context with the reinterpretation of /hatura-/ as ‘life’ (see Waal 2016a). Yakubovich 2017e:s.v. suggests ‘separation’ instead, which makes more sense. However, parts of the ASSUR letters remain ill-understood to this day, and additional evidence is required to uncover the meaning of this word.
[AH.B.]
1.1.5Stem
Since the phonological shape of the word is not entirely clear, a morphological analysis is difficult. Rieken & Yakubovich 2010a:212 tentatively propose a noun in /-mis-/ deriving from a putative adjective */ala-/ (?) ‘high’. Further evidence is needed.
[AH.B.]