Lycian language

Lycian

Pronunciation
Native to
Region	Anatolia
Ethnicity
Speakers
Language family	Indo-European
Early forms
Writing system
Official status
Regulated by

The Lycian language is an extinct Indo-European language that was spoken in the region of Lycia in Anatolia, which is present-day southwestern Turkey. It is part of the Anatolian branch of the Indo-European language family, closely related to the Luwic subgroup.

History

The Lycian language was used primarily during the 1st millennium BCE. It is known from inscriptions dating from the 5th to the 4th centuries BCE. The language became extinct by the 1st century BCE, likely due to the Hellenization of the region and the spread of the Greek language.

Script

Lycian was written in the Lycian script, which is an alphabet derived from the Greek alphabet. The script consists of 29 letters, including vowels and consonants. The inscriptions found are mostly on stone monuments, coins, and some pottery.

Classification

Lycian belongs to the Luwic subgroup of the Anatolian branch of the Indo-European language family. It is closely related to Luwian and Carian.

Phonology

The phonological system of Lycian includes a range of consonants and vowels. The consonants include stops, fricatives, nasals, and liquids, while the vowels include both short and long forms.

Grammar

Lycian grammar shares many features with other Anatolian languages. It has a complex system of noun declensions and verb conjugations. Nouns are declined for case, number, and gender, while verbs are conjugated for tense, mood, voice, person, and number.

Vocabulary

The vocabulary of Lycian is known from various inscriptions and includes many words related to daily life, religion, and administration. Some words show clear Indo-European roots, while others are unique to the Anatolian region.

Inscriptions

Most of the Lycian inscriptions are found in the form of funerary texts, decrees, and dedications. The most famous Lycian inscription is the Xanthos stele, which provides valuable insights into the language and its usage.

Legacy

Although the Lycian language is extinct, it provides important information about the linguistic and cultural history of ancient Anatolia. The study of Lycian contributes to the understanding of the Indo-European language family and the spread of languages in the ancient world.

See also

• Luwian language
• Carian language
• Anatolian languages
• Indo-European languages
• Lycia
• Xanthos stele

References

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