/as(s)uhana/i-/, *a-su-ha-na-
‘smiling (?)’
- Language
- Hieroglyphic Luwian
- Grammar
- adj
- ID
- 3298
1. Individual Anatolian Languages
1.1 Hieroglyphic Luwian
/as(s)uhana/i-/, *a-su-ha-na-
‘smiling (?)’1.1.1Transmission
This hapax is attested in a single inscription from Karkamiš, dating to the 10th or early 9th century BCE.
[A.P.]
1.1.2Forms
| abl./instr. | /as(s)uhanadi/ | *a-su-ha-na-ti | KARKAMIŠ A2+3, §6 (Karkamiš) |
The word is commonly classified as an adjective, although it should be noted that this is done mainly on syntactic grounds, since it precedes a noun showing the same inflection at KARKAMIŠ A2+3, §6. Alternatively, the present word may be another noun instead.
[A.P.] [AH.B.]
1.1.3Graphic Features
1.1.3.1Phonological Interpretation
The phonological interpretation of this word is provisional. Before the discovery of the initial-a-final spelling convention (see Hawkins 2003b:159-161), the word was read /suhana-/ vel sim. The improved reading may open up a very tentative cognate link via loan from Hittite aššu- ‘good’; any connection with HLuw. /assu-/ ‘stone’, however, seems unlikely.
[AH.B.]
1.1.4Meaning
The meaning is assigned tentatively by Hawkins 1980d:129, who interpreted the word based on the context. For in the introductory section of the inscription, the author details how his forebears had apparently received no divine assistance, yet he regards himself favoured by the storm-god Tarhunt. At KARKAMIŠ A2+3, §6 reads: wa/i-mu-ta *a-su-ha-na-ti (“FRONS”)ha-ta-ti a-tá LITUUS+na-tà, approx. /wa=mu=tta as(s)uhanadi hantadi anta m(a)nada/, meaning ‘(For me, Kattuwa, the country-lord of Karkamiš, the storm-god rose in favour behind my soul,) and he looked upon me with a smiling (?) face’ (cf. Hawkins 2000a:109).
[AH.B.]
1.1.5Stem
The morphological structure of the word is unclear. Any connection with Hittite aššu- ‘good’ is quite hypothetical at this point.
[AH.B.]