BRACCHIUM-˹la/i/u˺-sa-
‘(unknown)’
- Language
- Hieroglyphic Luwian
- Grammar
- verb
- ID
- 3787
1. Individual Anatolian Languages
1.1 Hieroglyphic Luwian
BRACCHIUM-˹la/i/u˺-sa-
‘(unknown)’1.1.1Transmission
This hapax is attested in a single inscription from the Amuq, possibly dating to the 8th century BCE.
[A.P.]
1.1.2Forms
| 3pl.? pret.? act. | /…/ | BRACCHIUM-˹la/i/u˺-sa-[x] | TELL TAYINAT 2, l.1 2a (Amuq) |
While the analysis of the attestation at TELL TAYINAT 2, l.1 2a as a verb is relatively secure because of its position in the clause, the precise nature of the form as a 3pl. pret. is extrapolated from the context and thus tentative.
[A.P.]
1.1.3Graphic Features
1.1.3.1Phonological Interpretation
The phonological interpretation of this word is unknown. The syllabic components of the spelling suggest a stem in /-lVssa-/If the /l/ is intervocalic, it could also represent /r/ or /d/ due to sweeping rhotacism and frequent hypercorrections particularly towards the end of the HLuw. era, cf. e.g. Melchert 2003b:179-182. with an unclear vowel due to the vocalic underspecification of the sign 〈la/i/u〉 (*445) after the Empire period.
The spelling with the logogram BRACCHIUM (sign *32) suggests a semantic (if not necessarily etymological relationship) to one of the other words that employ the same sign, viz. HLuw. /humid-/ ‘(fore)arm’, HLuw. /isarwil(i)-/ ‘right hand’, and HLuw. /isarulla-/ ‘(an occupation)’, but it is difficult to select one as the most likely candidate.Yakubovich 2017e:s.v. suggests a reading as /humilassa-/.
[AH.B.]
1.1.4Meaning
While the status of the word as a verb is reasonably certain, its context of attestation is otherwise less informative due to severe fragmentation of the text particularly before the relevant clause. Thus TELL TAYINAT 2, l.1 2a reads: INFANS.N[I]-na-z[a]-ha-wa/i-˹x˺(-)za-˹x˺ a-tá BRACCHIUM-˹la/i/u˺-sa-[x], approx. /niwarannanz=ha=wa … anta …-lVssanta?/, with only a partial translation possible as ‘They(?) …-(ed?) … to/for the children’ (cf. Hawkins 2000a:370 and earlier Meriggi 1975a:231). From the context, the meaning of the word cannot be determined with any degree of certainty; possibly the verb could mean ‘to act as guardian, to provide for’ vel sim., but until further data are found, this suggestion remains entirely hypothetical.
[AH.B.]
1.1.5Stem
The form can be quite securely identified as a verb. What remains of the stem appears to show a formation in /-ssa-(i)/, used to build imperfectives from an existing verb, cf. Sasseville 2021a:488-490).
[AH.B.]