BONUS2.SCRIBA-la-
‘(type of scribe)’
- Language
- Hieroglyphic Luwian
- Grammar
- subst, c.
- ID
- 3374
1. Individual Anatolian Languages
1.1 Hieroglyphic Luwian
BONUS2.SCRIBA-la-
‘(type of scribe)’1.1.1Transmission
This lexeme is attested in two related inscriptions from Hama, dating to the 9th or 8th century BCE.
[A.P.]
1.1.2Forms
| nom. sg. | /…/ | BONUS2.SCRIBA-la/i/u-sa | MEHARDE, §9 (Hama) |
| BONUS2.SCRIBA-la-sa | SHEIZAR, §8 (Hama) |
[A.P.]
1.1.3Graphic Features
1.1.3.1Phonological Interpretation
The phonological form of this word is so far unclear because of the mainly logographic spelling. The word may contain the form HLuw. /tuppala-/ ‘scribe’, but more syllabically spelt evidence is needed to prove this hypothesis. In combination with BONUS2, Payne 2015a:145 regards the spelling as archaising, since it is otherwise only found on seals. The logogram SCRIBA (sign *326) usually occurs together with words from the family around /tuppala-/ ‘scribe’.
[AH.B.]
1.1.4Meaning
While it is clear that the word denotes a kind of scribe, the precise denotation has so far remained opaque. Hawkins 2000a:417f. opts for a quality interpretation, viz. ‘good scribe’, noting that the title is found on seals as well, for which see also Herbordt 2005a:90, 149, and it is not clear if the signs should be understood quite this literally (cf. also Payne 2015a:145). The word occurs in one of the last colophon-like clauses at SHEIZAR, §8: MALLEUS.CAPERE-pa-wa/i-na ILOCUS-ti-ARMA-wa/i-sa BONUS2.SCRIBA-la-sa, approx. /…=ba=wa=an Allantimuwas …-las/ meaning ‘Allantimuwa, the BONUS2.SCRIBA-la- scribe, carved it’ (cf. Hawkins 2000a:417).
[AH.B.]
1.1.5Stem
It seems likely that the word represents a compound with /tuppala-/ ‘scribe’ as its second member, but definitive proof is lacking so far. As it is, the word can be identified as a common gender a-stem noun.
[AH.B.]