The adaptation of the cuneiform script by the Hittites

Alwin Kloekhorst, Leiden University (a.kloekhorst@hum.leidenuniv.nl)

Dynamics of Change in Ancient Societies

29 November 2013, Verona

Origin of Hittite cuneiform

Origin of Hittite cuneiform

1. Taken over from North-Syria around 1650 BC

Origin of Hittite cuneiform

1. Taken over from North-Syria around 1650 BC

(nowadays common opinion)

Origin of Hittite cuneiform

1. Taken over from North-Syria around 1650 BC

(nowadays common opinion)

→ OH ductus ~ OB texts from Alalaḫ

Origin of Hittite cuneiform

1. Taken over from North-Syria around 1650 BC

(nowadays common opinion)

→ OH ductus ~ OB texts from Alalaḫ

2. Taken over from the Hurrians.

Origin of Hittite cuneiform

1. Taken over from North-Syria around 1650 BC

(nowadays common opinion)

→ OH ductus ~ OB texts from Alalaḫ

2. Taken over from the Hurrians.

→ system of writing stops

Writing of stops in Hittite

• the cuneiform script distinguishes voiceless and voiced stops:

& TA besides æ DA

> PA besides ] BA

( KI besides H GI

R TU besides Ä DU

etc.

Writing of stops in Hittite

In Hittite: interchangeable

‘they eat’: a-ta-an-zi a-da-an-zi

‘they must be’: a-ša-an-tu a-ša-an-du

‘to open’: ki-nu-uz-zi gi-nu-uz-zi

In Hittite: interchangeable

‘they eat’: a-ta-an-zi a-da-an-zi

‘they must be’: a-ša-an-tu a-ša-an-du

‘to open’: ki-nu-uz-zi gi-nu-uz-zi

Communis opinio: the use of e.g. TA vs. DA is in principle random.

In Hittite: interchangeable

‘they eat’: a-ta-an-zi a-da-an-zi

‘they must be’: a-ša-an-tu a-ša-an-du

‘to open’: ki-nu-uz-zi gi-nu-uz-zi

Communis opinio: the use of e.g. TA vs. DA is in principle random.

Does Hittite have only one series of stops? No.

Geminate vs. single

Geminate vs. single

• Sturtevant’s Law (1932): geminate spelling, VC-CV, is consistently distinct from single spelling, V-CV.

Geminate vs. single

• Sturtevant’s Law (1932): geminate spelling, VC-CV, is consistently distinct from single spelling, V-CV.

• geminates reflect PIE voiceless *p, *t, *ḱ, *kw

• singletons reflect PIE voiced *b, *d, *ǵ, *gw and voiced aspirated *bh, *dh, *ǵh, *gwh

Geminate vs. single

• singletons:

a-ta-an-zi, a-da-an-zi ‘they eat’

~ Skt. ad-, Gr. ed-, < PIE *h1ed-

Geminate vs. single

• singletons:

a-ta-an-zi, a-da-an-zi ‘they eat’

~ Skt. ad-, Gr. ed-, < PIE *h1ed-

• geminates:

pát-ta-n°, pád-da-n° ‘wing’

~ Skt. pat-, Gr. pet- < *peth1-

Geminate vs. single

• singletons: lenis

a-ta-an-zi, a-da-an-zi ‘they eat’

~ Skt. ad-, Gr. ed-, < PIE *h1ed-

• geminates: fortis

pát-ta-n°, pád-da-n° ‘wing’

~ Skt. pat-, Gr. pet- < *peth1-

Fortis vs. lenis: phonetics?

Fortis vs. lenis: phonetics?

Traditionally (e.g. Melchert 1994): voice distinction:

fortis Vt-tV, Vd-dV = [t] (< PIE *t)

lenis V-tV, V-dV = [d] (< PIE *d(h))

Fortis vs. lenis: phonetics?

Traditionally (e.g. Melchert 1994): voice distinction:

fortis Vt-tV, Vd-dV = [t] (< PIE *t)

lenis V-tV, V-dV = [d] (< PIE *d(h))

Why not spelled with TA vs. DA?

Fortis vs. lenis: phonetics?

Traditionally (e.g. Melchert 1994): voice distinction:

fortis Vt-tV, Vd-dV = [t] (< PIE *t)

lenis V-tV, V-dV = [d] (< PIE *d(h))

Why not spelled with TA vs. DA?

→ Because Hurrian has a similar system:

VttV = /tt/ = [tt] vs. VtV = /t/ = [d]

Fortis vs. lenis: phonetics?

Traditionally (e.g. Melchert 1994): voice distinction:

fortis Vt-tV, Vd-dV = [t] (< PIE *t)

lenis V-tV, V-dV = [d] (< PIE *d(h))

Why not spelled with TA vs. DA?

→ Because Hurrian has a similar system:

VttV = /tt/ = [tt] vs. VtV = /t/ = [d]

→ Argument for Hurrian origin of Hittite cuneiform

Fortis vs. lenis: phonetics?

Traditionally (e.g. Melchert 1994): voice distinction:

fortis Vt-tV, Vd-dV = [t] (< PIE *t)

lenis V-tV, V-dV = [d] (< PIE *d(h))

Yet, this traditional interpretation is unlikely:

Fortis vs. lenis: phonetics?

Traditionally (e.g. Melchert 1994): voice distinction:

fortis Vt-tV, Vd-dV = [t] (< PIE *t)

lenis V-tV, V-dV = [d] (< PIE *d(h))

Yet, this traditional interpretation is unlikely:

e-ku-ut-ta ‘he drank’

Fortis vs. lenis: phonetics?

Traditionally (e.g. Melchert 1994): voice distinction:

fortis Vt-tV, Vd-dV = [t] (< PIE *t)

lenis V-tV, V-dV = [d] (< PIE *d(h))

Yet, this traditional interpretation is unlikely:

e-ku-ut-ta ‘he drank’

(also spelled e-uk-ta, so u is not a vowel, but labial articulation of the velar: /Kw/)

Fortis vs. lenis: phonetics?

Traditionally (e.g. Melchert 1994): voice distinction:

fortis Vt-tV, Vd-dV = [t] (< PIE *t)

lenis V-tV, V-dV = [d] (< PIE *d(h))

Yet, this traditional interpretation is unlikely:

e-ku-ut-ta ‘he drank’ = [egwta]

Fortis vs. lenis: phonetics?

Traditionally (e.g. Melchert 1994): voice distinction:

fortis Vt-tV, Vd-dV = [t] (< PIE *t)

lenis V-tV, V-dV = [d] (< PIE *d(h))

Yet, this traditional interpretation is unlikely:

e-ku-ut-ta ‘he drank’ = [egwta]

> **e-ek-ku-ut-ta [ekwta]

Fortis vs. lenis: phonetics?

Traditionally (e.g. Melchert 1994): voice distinction:

fortis Vt-tV, Vd-dV = [t] (< PIE *t)

lenis V-tV, V-dV = [d] (< PIE *d(h))

Yet, this traditional interpretation is unlikely:

e-ku-ut-ta ‘he drank’ = [egwta]

> **e-ek-ku-ut-ta [ekwta]

or **e-ku-ta [egwda]

Fortis vs. lenis: phonetics?

Kloekhorst (2008): length distinction:

fortis Vt-tV, Vd-dV = [tt]

lenis V-tV, V-dV = [t]

Fortis vs. lenis: phonetics?

Kloekhorst (2008): length distinction:

fortis Vt-tV, Vd-dV = [tt]

lenis V-tV, V-dV = [t]

e-ku-ut-ta ‘he drank’ = [ekwtta]

Fortis vs. lenis: phonetics?

Kloekhorst (2008): length distinction:

fortis Vt-tV, Vd-dV = [tt]

lenis V-tV, V-dV = [t]

e-ku-ut-ta ‘he drank’ = [ekwtta]

Proof:

Fortis vs. lenis: phonetics?

Kloekhorst (2008): length distinction:

fortis Vt-tV, Vd-dV = [tt]

lenis V-tV, V-dV = [t]

e-ku-ut-ta ‘he drank’ = [ekwtta]

Proof: PIE *kéiso > Hitt. ki-i-ša /kīsa/ ‘he becomes’

Fortis vs. lenis: phonetics?

Kloekhorst (2008): length distinction:

fortis Vt-tV, Vd-dV = [tt]

lenis V-tV, V-dV = [t]

e-ku-ut-ta ‘he drank’ = [ekwtta]

Proof: PIE *kéiso > Hitt. ki-i-ša /kīsa/ ‘he becomes’

PIE *kéish2e > Hitt. ki-iš-ḫa /kisHa/ ‘I become’

Fortis vs. lenis: phonetics?

Kloekhorst (2008): length distinction:

fortis Vt-tV, Vd-dV = [tt]

lenis V-tV, V-dV = [t]

e-ku-ut-ta ‘he drank’ = [ekwtta]

Proof: PIE *kéiso > Hitt. ki-i-ša /kīsa/ ‘he becomes’

PIE *kéish2e > Hitt. ki-iš-ḫa /kisHa/ ‘I become’

so, long /ī/ is shortened to /i/ in closed syllables

Fortis vs. lenis: phonetics?

Kloekhorst (2008): length distinction:

fortis Vt-tV, Vd-dV = [tt]

lenis V-tV, V-dV = [t]

e-ku-ut-ta ‘he drank’ = [ekwtta]

Proof: PIE *kéiso > Hitt. ki-i-ša /kīsa/ ‘he becomes’

PIE *kéish2e > Hitt. ki-iš-ḫa /kisHa/ ‘I become’

so, long /ī/ is shortened to /i/ in closed syllables

PIE *kéito > Hitt. ki-it-ta /kita/ ‘he lies’

Fortis vs. lenis: phonetics?

Kloekhorst (2008): length distinction:

fortis Vt-tV, Vd-dV = [tt]

lenis V-tV, V-dV = [t]

e-ku-ut-ta ‘he drank’ = [ekwtta]

Proof: PIE *kéiso > Hitt. ki-i-ša /kīsa/ ‘he becomes’

PIE *kéish2e > Hitt. ki-iš-ḫa /kisHa/ ‘I become’

so, long /ī/ is shortened to /i/ in closed syllables

PIE *kéito > Hitt. ki-it-ta /kita/ ‘he lies’

→ -tt- closes the syllable, i.e. [tt]

Standard view

• Hittite has two consonantal phonemes:

– fortis, spelled Vt-tV or Vd-dV < PIE *t

– lenis, spelled V-tV or V-dV < PIE *d(h)

Standard view

• Hittite has two consonantal phonemes:

– fortis, spelled Vt-tV or Vd-dV (= [tt]) < PIE *t

– lenis, spelled V-tV or V-dV (= [t]) < PIE *d(h)

Standard view

• Hittite has two consonantal phonemes:

– fortis, spelled Vt-tV or Vd-dV (= [tt]) < PIE *t

– lenis, spelled V-tV or V-dV (= [t]) < PIE *d(h)

• this distinction is only found in word-internal position (because gemination cannot be spelled word-initially and word-finally)

TA vs. DA

TA vs. DA

• some words are always spelled with TA (e.g. kat-ta), others only with DA (e.g. an-da)

TA vs. DA

• some words are always spelled with TA (e.g. kat-ta), others only with DA (e.g. an-da)

• usually seen as scribal convention

TA vs. DA

• some words are always spelled with TA (e.g. kat-ta), others only with DA (e.g. an-da)

• usually seen as scribal convention

• what is scribal convention?

TA vs. DA

• some words are always spelled with TA (e.g. kat-ta), others only with DA (e.g. an-da)

• usually seen as scribal convention

• what is scribal convention?

• e.g. Eng. knight [naɪt]

night [naɪt]

TA vs. DA

• some words are always spelled with TA (e.g. kat-ta), others only with DA (e.g. an-da)

• usually seen as scribal convention

• what is scribal convention?

• e.g. Eng. knight [naɪt] ~ Germ. Knecht

night [naɪt] Nacht

TA vs. DA: initial position

TA vs. DA: initial position

• Old Hittite corpus (ca. 15.000 words)

TA vs. DA: initial position

• Old Hittite corpus (ca. 15.000 words)

TA vs. DA: initial position

• Old Hittite corpus (ca. 15.000 words)

TA vs. DA: initial position

• Old Hittite corpus (ca. 15.000 words)

TA vs. DA: initial position

1. dā-i, e.g. da-an-zi ‘they take’ < *dh3énti

2. dai-i, eg. da-a-i ‘he places’ < *dhh1óiei

TA vs. DA: initial position

1. dā-i, e.g. da-an-zi ‘they take’ < *dh3énti

2. dai-i, eg. da-a-i ‘he places’ < *dhh1óiei

TA vs. DA: initial position

1. dā-i, e.g. da-an-zi ‘they take’ < *dh3énti

2. dai-i, eg. da-a-i ‘he places’ < *dhh1óiei

Cannot be correct:

ta-a-ru ‘wood’ < *dóru

ta-an-ku-i- ‘dark’ < *dhongw-i-

TA vs. DA: initial position

1. dā-i, e.g. da-an-zi ‘they take’ < *dh3énti

2. dai-i, eg. da-a-i ‘he places’ < *dhh1óiei

TA vs. DA: initial position

1. dā-i, e.g. da-an-zi ‘they take’ < *dh3énti

2. dai-i, eg. da-a-i ‘he places’ < *dhh1óiei

TA vs. DA: initial position

1. dā-i, e.g. da-an-zi ‘they take’ < *dh3énti

2. dai-i, eg. da-a-i ‘he places’ < *dhh1óiei

TA vs. DA: initial position

1. dā-i, e.g. da-an-zi ‘they take’ < *dh3énti

2. dai-i, eg. da-a-i ‘he places’ < *dhh1óiei

TA vs. DA: initial position

1. dā-i, e.g. da-an-zi ‘they take’ < *dh3énti

2. dai-i, eg. da-a-i ‘he places’ < *dhh1óiei

“laryngeals” i.e. [ʔ] or [ʕ]

TA vs. DA: initial position

1. dā-i, e.g. da-an-zi ‘they take’ < *dh3énti

2. dai-i, eg. da-a-i ‘he places’ < *dhh1óiei

Kloekhorst 2010: DA ~ PIE *THV-

TA ~ PIE *TV-

“laryngeals” i.e. [ʔ] or [ʕ]

TA vs. DA: initial position

1. dā-i, e.g. da-an-zi ‘they take’ < *dh3énti

2. dai-i, eg. da-a-i ‘he places’ < *dhh1óiei

Kloekhorst 2010: DA ~ PIE *THV-

TA ~ PIE *TV-

In Akkadian, DA can have the value ṭa

“laryngeals” i.e. [ʔ] or [ʕ]

TA vs. DA: initial position

1. dā-i, e.g. da-an-zi ‘they take’ < *dh3énti

2. dai-i, eg. da-a-i ‘he places’ < *dhh1óiei

Kloekhorst 2010: DA ~ PIE *THV-

TA ~ PIE *TV-

In Akkadian, DA can have the value ṭa = [tʔa]

“laryngeals” i.e. [ʔ] or [ʕ]

TA vs. DA: initial position

1. dā-i, e.g. da-an-zi ‘they take’ < *dh3énti

2. dai-i, eg. da-a-i ‘he places’ < *dhh1óiei

Kloekhorst 2010: DA ~ PIE *THV-

TA ~ PIE *TV-

In Akkadian, DA can have the value ṭa = [tʔa]

da-an-zi = “ṭa-an-zi” = [tʔántsi] < *dh3énti

da-a-i = “ṭa-a-i” = [tʔāi] < *dhh1óiei

“laryngeals” i.e. [ʔ] or [ʕ]

TA vs. DA: initial position

1. dā-i, e.g. da-an-zi ‘they take’ < *dh3énti

2. dai-i, eg. da-a-i ‘he places’ < *dhh1óiei

Kloekhorst 2010: DA ~ PIE *THV-

TA ~ PIE *TV-

In Akkadian, DA can have the value ṭa = [tʔa]

da-an-zi = “ṭa-an-zi” = [tʔántsi] < *dh3énti

da-a-i = “ṭa-a-i” = [tʔāi] < *dhh1óiei

“laryngeals” i.e. [ʔ] or [ʕ]

TA vs. DA: initial position

1. dā-i, e.g. da-an-zi ‘they take’ < *dh3énti

2. dai-i, eg. da-a-i ‘he places’ < *dhh1óiei

Kloekhorst 2010: DA ~ PIE *THV-

TA ~ PIE *TV-

In Akkadian, DA can have the value ṭa = [tʔa]

da-an-zi = “ṭa-an-zi” = [tʔántsi] < *dh3énti

da-a-i = “ṭa-a-i” = [tʔāi] < *dhh1óiei

“laryngeals” i.e. [ʔ] or [ʕ]

TA vs. DA: initial position

1. dā-i, e.g. da-an-zi ‘they take’ < *dh3énti

2. dai-i, eg. da-a-i ‘he places’ < *dhh1óiei

Kloekhorst 2010: DA ~ PIE *THV-

TA ~ PIE *TV-

In Akkadian, DA can have the value ṭa = [tʔa]

da-an-zi = “ṭa-an-zi” = [tʔántsi] < *dh3énti

da-a-i = “ṭa-a-i” = [tʔāi] < *dhh1óiei

“laryngeals” i.e. [ʔ] or [ʕ]

TA vs. DA: initial position

1. dā-i, e.g. da-an-zi ‘they take’ < *dh3énti

2. dai-i, eg. da-a-i ‘he places’ < *dhh1óiei

Kloekhorst 2010: DA ~ PIE *THV-

TA ~ PIE *TV-

In Akkadian, DA can have the value ṭa = [tʔa]

da-an-zi = “ṭa-an-zi” = [tʔántsi] < *dh3énti

da-a-i = “ṭa-a-i” = [tʔāi] < *dhh1óiei

“laryngeals” i.e. [ʔ] or [ʕ]

TA vs. DA: internal position

(-)Vt-ta(-) vs. (-)Vd-da(-) geminates:

(-)Vt-ta(-) vs. (-)Vd-da(-) geminates: (-)Vt-ta(-) 233x 95%

(-)Vd-da(-) 11x 5%

(-)Vt-ta(-) vs. (-)Vd-da(-) geminates: (-)Vt-ta(-) 233x 95%

(-)Vd-da(-) 11x 5%

LÚ.MEŠa-ku-ud-da[-...] ʻ?ʼ

pád-da-aḫ-ḫi ʻI digʼ

[p]ád-da-ni ʻbasketʼ

pád-da-a-ni ʻbasketʼ

[p]ád-da-ni-i ʻbasketʼ GIŠpád-da-[ni] ʻbasketʼ GIŠpád-da-r° ʻbasketʼ

píd-da-a-i ʻhe fleesʼ

ud-d[a?-]a?-ar ʻwordsʼ

zi-pád-da-ni ʻ?ʼ

(-)Vt-ta(-) vs. (-)Vd-da(-) geminates: (-)Vt-ta(-) 233x 95%

(-)Vd-da(-) 11x 5%

LÚ.MEŠa-ku-ud-da[-...] ʻ?ʼ

pád-da-aḫ-ḫi ʻI digʼ < *bhodhh2V-

[p]ád-da-ni ʻbasketʼ

pád-da-a-ni ʻbasketʼ

[p]ád-da-ni-i ʻbasketʼ GIŠpád-da-[ni] ʻbasketʼ GIŠpád-da-r° ʻbasketʼ

píd-da-a-i ʻhe fleesʼ

ud-d[a?-]a?-ar ʻwordsʼ

zi-pád-da-ni ʻ?ʼ

(-)Vt-ta(-) vs. (-)Vd-da(-) geminates: (-)Vt-ta(-) 233x 95%

(-)Vd-da(-) 11x 5%

LÚ.MEŠa-ku-ud-da[-...] ʻ?ʼ

pád-da-aḫ-ḫi ʻI digʼ < *bhodhh2V-

[p]ád-da-ni ʻbasketʼ

pád-da-a-ni ʻbasketʼ

[p]ád-da-ni-i ʻbasketʼ < *péth2r, *pth2én- GIŠpád-da-[ni] ʻbasketʼ GIŠpád-da-r° ʻbasketʼ

píd-da-a-i ʻhe fleesʼ

ud-d[a?-]a?-ar ʻwordsʼ

zi-pád-da-ni ʻ?ʼ

(-)Vt-ta(-) vs. (-)Vd-da(-) geminates: (-)Vt-ta(-) 233x 95%

(-)Vd-da(-) 11x 5%

LÚ.MEŠa-ku-ud-da[-...] ʻ?ʼ

pád-da-aḫ-ḫi ʻI digʼ < *bhodhh2V-

[p]ád-da-ni ʻbasketʼ

pád-da-a-ni ʻbasketʼ

[p]ád-da-ni-i ʻbasketʼ < *péth2r, *pth2én- GIŠpád-da-[ni] ʻbasketʼ GIŠpád-da-r° ʻbasketʼ

píd-da-a-i ʻhe fleesʼ < *pth1óiei

ud-d[a?-]a?-ar ʻwordsʼ

zi-pád-da-ni ʻ?ʼ

(-)Vt-ta(-) vs. (-)Vd-da(-) geminates: (-)Vt-ta(-) 233x 95%

(-)Vd-da(-) 11x 5%

LÚ.MEŠa-ku-ud-da[-...] ʻ?ʼ

pád-da-aḫ-ḫi ʻI digʼ < *bhodhh2V-

[p]ád-da-ni ʻbasketʼ

pád-da-a-ni ʻbasketʼ

[p]ád-da-ni-i ʻbasketʼ < *péth2r, *pth2én- GIŠpád-da-[ni] ʻbasketʼ GIŠpád-da-r° ʻbasketʼ

píd-da-a-i ʻhe fleesʼ < *pth1óiei

ud-d[a?-]a?-ar ʻwordsʼ < *uth2ōr

zi-pád-da-ni ʻ?ʼ

(-)Vt-ta(-) vs. (-)Vd-da(-) geminates: (-)Vt-ta(-) 233x 95%

(-)Vd-da(-) 11x 5%

LÚ.MEŠa-ku-ud-da[-...] ʻ?ʼ

pád-da-aḫ-ḫi ʻI digʼ < *bhodhh2V-

[p]ád-da-ni ʻbasketʼ

pád-da-a-ni ʻbasketʼ

[p]ád-da-ni-i ʻbasketʼ < *péth2r, *pth2én- GIŠpád-da-[ni] ʻbasketʼ GIŠpád-da-r° ʻbasketʼ

píd-da-a-i ʻhe fleesʼ < *pth1óiei

ud-d[a?-]a?-ar ʻwordsʼ < *uth2ōr

zi-pád-da-ni ʻ?ʼ

(-)Vt-ta(-) vs. (-)Vd-da(-) ar-ma-ni-ia-at-ta ‘he becomes ill’ < *h1rmnioto

ḫa-an-da-a-(e-)et-ta ‘it fits’ < *°ieto

ḫa-at-ta-an-ta ‘intelligent’ < *h2etent-

i-e-et-ta ‘he goes’ < *h1ieto

i-ia-at-ta ‘he goes’ < *h1ioto

kat-ta(-an) ‘below, down’ < *ḱmto(m)

ki-iš-ta-an-zi-at-ta-at ‘he was hungry’ < *°ioto°

ki-it-ta ‘he lies’ < *ḱeito

ku-ut-ta-aš ‘wall (gen.sg.)’ < *ǵheutos

lu-uk-kat-ta ‘the next morning’ < *leukoto

nu-u=t-ta ‘and to you’ < *nu=tuo

še-ep-pí-it-ta-aš ‘grain (gen.sg.)’ < *sepitos dŠi-i-ua-at-ta-aš ‘sun-deity (gen.sg.)’ < *dieuotos

ú-e-et-ta[-an-da-an-ni] ‘period of a year’ < *uetent-

(-)Vt-ta(-) vs. (-)Vd-da(-) ar-ma-ni-ia-at-ta ‘he becomes ill’ < *h1rmnioto

ḫa-an-da-a-(e-)et-ta ‘it fits’ < *°ieto

ḫa-at-ta-an-ta ‘intelligent’ < *h2etent-

i-e-et-ta ‘he goes’ < *h1ieto

i-ia-at-ta ‘he goes’ < *h1ioto

kat-ta(-an) ‘below, down’ < *ḱmto(m)

ki-iš-ta-an-zi-at-ta-at ‘he was hungry’ < *°ioto°

ki-it-ta ‘he lies’ < *ḱeito

ku-ut-ta-aš ‘wall (gen.sg.)’ < *ǵheutos

lu-uk-kat-ta ‘the next morning’ < *leukoto

nu-u=t-ta ‘and to you’ < *nu=tuo

še-ep-pí-it-ta-aš ‘grain (gen.sg.)’ < *sepitos dŠi-i-ua-at-ta-aš ‘sun-deity (gen.sg.)’ < *dieuotos

ú-e-et-ta[-an-da-an-ni] ‘period of a year’ < *uetent-

(-)Vt-ta(-) vs. (-)Vd-da(-)

distribution: (-)Vt-ta(-) < PIE *-VtV-

(-)Vd-da(-) < PIE *-VTHV-

(-)Vt-ta(-) vs. (-)Vd-da(-)

distribution: (-)Vt-ta(-) < PIE *-VtV-

(-)Vd-da(-) < PIE *-VTHV-

phonetic interpretation:

(-)Vt-ta(-) = [Vtta]

(-)Vt-ta(-) vs. (-)Vd-da(-)

distribution: (-)Vt-ta(-) < PIE *-VtV-

(-)Vd-da(-) < PIE *-VTHV-

phonetic interpretation:

(-)Vt-ta(-) = [Vtta]

(-)Vd-da(-) = (-)Vṭ-ṭa(-) = [Vttʔa]

(-)VC-ta(-) vs. (-)VC-da(-)

postconsonantal:

(-)VC-ta(-) vs. (-)VC-da(-)

postconsonantal: (-)VC-ta(-) 245x 62%

(-)VC-da(-) 151x 38%

(-)VC-ta(-) vs. (-)VC-da(-)

postconsonantal: (-)VC-ta(-) 245x 62%

(-)VC-da(-) 151x 38%

ḫ k l m n p r š

TA 2 9 1 - 73 2 21 137

DA - - 1 - 148 - 2 -

(-)VC-ta(-) vs. (-)VC-da(-)

postconsonantal: (-)VC-ta(-) 245x 62%

(-)VC-da(-) 151x 38%

ḫ k l m n p r š

TA 2 9 1 - 73 2 21 137

DA - - 1 - 148 - 2 -

(-)VC-ta(-) vs. (-)VC-da(-)

°n-TA °n-DA

(-)VC-ta(-) vs. (-)VC-da(-)

°n-TA °n-DA

e-ša-an-ta (7x) ‘they sit (down)’ e-ša-an-da (3x)

a-ra-an-ta-ri (1x) ‘they stand’ a-ra-an-da(-ri) (3x)

me-e-na-aḫ-ḫa-an-ta (3x) ‘opposite’ me-e-na-aḫ-ḫa-an-da (5x)

(-)VC-ta(-) vs. (-)VC-da(-)

°n-TA °n-DA

e-ša-an-ta (7x) ‘they sit (down)’ e-ša-an-da (3x)

a-ra-an-ta-ri (1x) ‘they stand’ a-ra-an-da(-ri) (3x)

me-e-na-aḫ-ḫa-an-ta (3x) ‘opposite’ me-e-na-aḫ-ḫa-an-da (5x)

-- ‘into’ an-da (54x)

-- ‘inside’ an-da-an (12x)

(-)VC-ta(-) vs. (-)VC-da(-)

°n-TA °n-DA

e-ša-an-ta (7x) ‘they sit (down)’ e-ša-an-da (3x)

a-ra-an-ta-ri (1x) ‘they stand’ a-ra-an-da(-ri) (3x)

me-e-na-aḫ-ḫa-an-ta (3x) ‘opposite’ me-e-na-aḫ-ḫa-an-da (5x)

-- ‘into’ an-da (54x)

-- ‘inside’ an-da-an (12x)

1

(-)VC-ta(-) vs. (-)VC-da(-)

°n-TA °n-DA

e-ša-an-ta (7x) ‘they sit (down)’ e-ša-an-da (3x)

a-ra-an-ta-ri (1x) ‘they stand’ a-ra-an-da(-ri) (3x)

me-e-na-aḫ-ḫa-an-ta (3x) ‘opposite’ me-e-na-aḫ-ḫa-an-da (5x)

-- ‘into’ an-da (54x)

-- ‘inside’ an-da-an (12x)

1

2

Group 1

arant/da(ri) < *h3rénto(ri)

ešant/da < *h1éh1s(e)nto

mēnaḫḫant/da < *...-h2ento

Group 2:

anda(n) < *h1(e)ndhh1o

or *h1(e)ndhh2e

(-)VC-ta(-) vs. (-)VC-da(-)

Group 1

arant/da(ri) < *h3rénto(ri)

ešant/da < *h1éh1s(e)nto

mēnaḫḫant/da < *...-h2ento

Group 2:

anda(n) < *h1(e)ndhh1o

or *h1(e)ndhh2e

(-)VC-ta(-) vs. (-)VC-da(-)

Group 1

arant/da(ri) < *h3rénto(ri)

ešant/da < *h1éh1s(e)nto

mēnaḫḫant/da < *...-h2ento

Group 2:

anda(n) < *h1(e)ndhh1o

or *h1(e)ndhh2e

anṭa(n)

(-)VC-ta(-) vs. (-)VC-da(-)

Group 1

arant/da(ri) < *h3rénto(ri)

ešant/da < *h1éh1s(e)nto

mēnaḫḫant/da < *...-h2ento

(-)VC-ta(-) vs. (-)VC-da(-)

Group 2:

anda(n) < *h1(e)ndhh1o

or *h1(e)ndhh2e

anṭa(n)

Group 1

arant/da(ri) < *h3rénto(ri)

ešant/da < *h1éh1s(e)nto

mēnaḫḫant/da < *...-h2ento

(-)VC-ta(-) vs. (-)VC-da(-)

Group 2:

anda(n) < *h1(e)ndhh1o

or *h1(e)ndhh2e

anṭa(n) = /-ntʔa-/

Group 1

arant/da(ri) < *h3rénto(ri)

ešant/da < *h1éh1s(e)nto

mēnaḫḫant/da < *...-h2ento

/-nda-/ < PIE *-nt-

(-)VC-ta(-) vs. (-)VC-da(-)

Group 2:

anda(n) < *h1(e)ndhh1o

or *h1(e)ndhh2e

anṭa(n) = /-ntʔa-/

Group 1

arant/da(ri) < *h3rénto(ri)

ešant/da < *h1éh1s(e)nto

mēnaḫḫant/da < *...-h2ento

/-nda-/ < PIE *-nt-

After other consonants: consistent spelling with TA, °C-ta- = /-Cta-/

(-)VC-ta(-) vs. (-)VC-da(-)

Group 2:

anda(n) < *h1(e)ndhh1o

or *h1(e)ndhh2e

anṭa(n) = /-ntʔa-/

°V-ta(-) vs. °V-da(-)

singletons:

°V-ta(-) vs. °V-da(-)

singletons: always interchange!

°V-ta(-) vs. °V-da(-)

singletons: always interchange!

a-ta-an-zi ‘they eat’ a-da-an-zi

i-ta-a-lu- ‘evil’ i-da-a-lu-

ua-ga-a-ta-aš ‘bread’ ua-ga-a-da-aš

°V-ta(-) vs. °V-da(-)

singletons: always interchange!

a-ta-an-zi ‘they eat’ a-da-an-zi

i-ta-a-lu- ‘evil’ i-da-a-lu-

ua-ga-a-ta-aš ‘bread’ ua-ga-a-da-aš

- resembles -nt/d- = [-nd-]

°V-ta(-) vs. °V-da(-)

singletons: always interchange!

a-ta-an-zi ‘they eat’ a-da-an-zi

i-ta-a-lu- ‘evil’ i-da-a-lu-

ua-ga-a-ta-aš ‘bread’ ua-ga-a-da-aš

- resembles -nt/d- = [-nd-], so [-VdV-].

°V-ta(-) vs. °V-da(-)

singletons: always interchange!

a-ta-an-zi ‘they eat’ a-da-an-zi

i-ta-a-lu- ‘evil’ i-da-a-lu-

ua-ga-a-ta-aš ‘bread’ ua-ga-a-da-aš

- resembles -nt/d- = [-nd-], so [-VdV-].

but, e-ku-ut-ta = [ekwtta]: lenis stops are voiceless!

°V-ta(-) vs. °V-da(-)

singletons: always interchange!

a-ta-an-zi ‘they eat’ a-da-an-zi

i-ta-a-lu- ‘evil’ i-da-a-lu-

ua-ga-a-ta-aš ‘bread’ ua-ga-a-da-aš

- resembles -nt/d- = [-nd-], so [-VdV-].

but, e-ku-ut-ta = [ekwtta]: lenis stops are voiceless!

→ lenis stops in principle short voiceless, but intervocalically allophonically voiced

°V-ta(-) vs. °V-da(-)

singletons: always interchange!

a-ta-an-zi ‘they eat’ a-da-an-zi

i-ta-a-lu- ‘evil’ i-da-a-lu-

ua-ga-a-ta-aš ‘bread’ ua-ga-a-da-aš

- resembles -nt/d- = [-nd-], so [-VdV-].

but, e-ku-ut-ta = [ekwtta]: lenis stops are voiceless!

→ lenis stops in principle short voiceless, but intervocalically allophonically voiced (= reason for inconsistent marking of it?)

Conclusion Hitt. ta- = [ta-]

da- = [tʔa-]

Conclusion Hitt. ta- = [ta-] ~ Akk. ta-

da- = [tʔa-] da- = ṭa-

Conclusion Hitt. ta- = [ta-] ~ Akk. ta-

da- (= ṭa-) = [tʔa-] da- = ṭa-

Conclusion Hitt. ta- = [ta-] ~ Akk. ta-

da- (= ṭa-) = [tʔa-] da- = ṭa-

Vt-ta = [Vtta]

Vd-da = [Vttʔa]

Conclusion Hitt. ta- = [ta-] ~ Akk. ta-

da- (= ṭa-) = [tʔa-] da- = ṭa-

Vt-ta = [Vtta] Vt-ta

Vd-da = [Vttʔa] Vd-da = Vṭ-ṭa

Conclusion Hitt. ta- = [ta-] ~ Akk. ta-

da- (= ṭa-) = [tʔa-] da- = ṭa-

Vt-ta = [Vtta] Vt-ta

Vd-da (= Vṭ-ṭa-) = [Vttʔa] Vd-da = Vṭ-ṭa

Conclusion Hitt. ta- = [ta-] ~ Akk. ta-

da- (= ṭa-) = [tʔa-] da- = ṭa-

Vt-ta = [Vtta] Vt-ta

Vd-da (= Vṭ-ṭa-) = [Vttʔa] Vd-da = Vṭ-ṭa

°C-ta = [°Cta]

°C-ta // C-da = [°Cda]

°C-da = [°Ctʔa]

Conclusion Hitt. ta- = [ta-] ~ Akk. ta-

da- (= ṭa-) = [tʔa-] da- = ṭa-

Vt-ta = [Vtta] Vt-ta

Vd-da (= Vṭ-ṭa-) = [Vttʔa] Vd-da = Vṭ-ṭa

°C-ta = [°Cta] °C-ta

°C-ta // C-da = [°Cda] °C-da

°C-da = [°Ctʔa] °C-da = °C-ṭa

Conclusion Hitt. ta- = [ta-] ~ Akk. ta-

da- (= ṭa-) = [tʔa-] da- = ṭa-

Vt-ta = [Vtta] Vt-ta

Vd-da (= Vṭ-ṭa-) = [Vttʔa] Vd-da = Vṭ-ṭa

°C-ta = [°Cta] °C-ta

°C-ta // C-da = [°Cda] °C-da

°C-da (= °C-ṭa) = [°Ctʔa] °C-da = °C-ṭa

Conclusion Hitt. ta- = [ta-] ~ Akk. ta-

da- (= ṭa-) = [tʔa-] da- = ṭa-

Vt-ta = [Vtta] Vt-ta

Vd-da (= Vṭ-ṭa-) = [Vttʔa] Vd-da = Vṭ-ṭa

°C-ta = [°Cta] °C-ta

°C-ta // C-da = [°Cda] °C-da

°C-da (= °C-ṭa) = [°Ctʔa] °C-da = °C-ṭa

V-ta / V-da = [Vda]

Conclusion Hitt. ta- = [ta-] ~ Akk. ta-

da- (= ṭa-) = [tʔa-] da- = ṭa-

Vt-ta = [Vtta] Vt-ta

Vd-da (= Vṭ-ṭa-) = [Vttʔa] Vd-da = Vṭ-ṭa

°C-ta = [°Cta] °C-ta

°C-ta // C-da = [°Cda] °C-da

°C-da (= °C-ṭa) = [°Ctʔa] °C-da = °C-ṭa

V-ta / V-da = [Vda] V-da

Conclusion Hitt. ta- = [ta-] ~ Akk. ta-

da- (= ṭa-) = [tʔa-] da- = ṭa-

Vt-ta = [Vtta] Vt-ta

Vd-da (= Vṭ-ṭa-) = [Vttʔa] Vd-da = Vṭ-ṭa

°C-ta = [°Cta] °C-ta

°C-ta // C-da = [°Cda] °C-da

°C-da (= °C-ṭa) = [°Ctʔa] °C-da = °C-ṭa

V-ta / V-da = [Vda] V-da

Conclusion Hitt. ta- = [ta-] ~ Akk. ta-

da- (= ṭa-) = [tʔa-] da- = ṭa-

Vt-ta = [Vtta] Vt-ta

Vd-da (= Vṭ-ṭa-) = [Vttʔa] Vd-da = Vṭ-ṭa

°C-ta = [°Cta] °C-ta

°C-ta // C-da = [°Cda] °C-da

°C-da (= °C-ṭa) = [°Ctʔa] °C-da = °C-ṭa

V-ta / V-da = [Vda] V-da

→ All Hittite spellings can be explained from Akkadian

Conclusion Hitt. ta- = [ta-] ~ Akk. ta-

da- (= ṭa-) = [tʔa-] da- = ṭa-

Vt-ta = [Vtta] Vt-ta

Vd-da (= Vṭ-ṭa-) = [Vttʔa] Vd-da = Vṭ-ṭa

°C-ta = [°Cta] °C-ta

°C-ta // C-da = [°Cda] °C-da

°C-da (= °C-ṭa) = [°Ctʔa] °C-da = °C-ṭa

V-ta / V-da = [Vda] V-da

→ All Hittite spellings can be explained from Akkadian:

no need at all for Hurrian influence.

References

Kloekhorst, A., 2008, Etymological Dictionary of the Hittite Inherited Lexicon, Leiden.

Kloekhorst, A., 2010, Initial stops in Hittite (with an excursus on the spelling of stops in Alalaḫ Akkadian), Zeitschrift für Assyriologie 100, 197-241.

Melchert, H.C., 1994, Anatolian Historical Phonology, Leiden.

Sturtevant, E.H., 1932, The development of the stops in Hittite, Journal of the American Oriental Society 52, 1-12.

Thank you