Canaano-Akkadian language
| Canaano-Akkadian | |
|---|---|
| Region | Canaan |
Afro-Asiatic
| |
| Sumero-Akkadian cuneiform | |
| Language codes | |
| ISO 639-3 | – |
Canaano-Akkadian is an ancient Semitic language which was the written language of the Amarna letters from Canaan.[1][2] It is a mixed language with mainly Akkadian vocabulary and Canaanite grammatical features. It used the cuneiform writing system of the Akkadian language.
Linguistic features
[edit]Canaano-Akkadian combined the Akkadian lexicon with Canaanite grammar, which influenced the syntax and morphology of the language. As such, the hybridization manifested in numerous ways, including:[1]
- Akkadian verbs were conjugated using Canaanite verb affixes, using the Akkadian term's 3MS form as the base.
- a change i > e, seen in Canaano-Akkadian edin, for Akkadian idin, "give!".
- elision of vowels between the root radicals r and b, seen in CA tîrbu for Akk. têrubu, "you enter".
- a change -Vn > -CV in words which end with the energic marker -(n)na followed by a suffix or enclitic participle, seen in CA ištimûš+šu for Akk. ištemun+šu, "I have heard it"; and CA nûbbalûš+šu for Akk. nubbalun+šu, "we must bring him".
References
[edit]- ^ a b Izre'el, Sh. "Canaano-Akkadian: Some Methodological Requisites for the Study of the Amarna Letters from Canaan" (PDF).
- ^ Izre'el, Sh. (1998). Canaano-Akkadian. Lincom Europa.
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