Table Of ContentLANGUAGES OF
THE ANCIENT NEAR EAST
EditorialBoard
GONZALO RUBIO, Pennsylvania State University
Editor-in-Chief
JAMESP. ALLEN Brown University
GENEB.GRAGG The OrientalInstitute, Univ.ofChicago
REBECCAHASSELBACH-ANDEE The OrientalInstitute, Univ.ofChicago
MANFRED KREBERNIK Friedrich-Schiller-Universittitlena
ANTONIO LOPRIENO UniversitdtBasel
H. CRAIGMELCHERT University ofCalifornia, LosAngeles
PIOTR MICHALOWSKI University ofMichigan
P. OKTORSKJ£RV0 Harvard University
MICHAELP. STRECK Universitiit Leipzig
CHRISTOPHERWOODS The OrientalInstitute, Univ.ofChicago
1. A Grammar oftheHittite Language,by Harry A. HoffnerJr. and H. Craig Melchert
Part 1:Reference Grammar
Part 2: Tutorial
2. TheAkkadian Verband Its Semitic Background, by N. J.C. Kouwenberg
3. Most Probably: Epistemic Modality in OldBabylonian, by Nathan Wasserman
4. Conditional Structures inMesopotamian OldBabylonian, by Eran Cohen
5. Mood and Modality inHurrian,byDennis R. M.Campbell .
6. The VerbintheAmarnaLettersfrom Canaan,by KrzysztofJ. Baranowski
7. Grammar oftheAncient Egyptian Pyramid Texts,Volume 1: Unis,
byJames P.Allen
8/1. A Glossary ofOldSyrian, Part 1:1- k,by Joaquin Sanmartin
9. Middle Egyptian,by PeterBeylage
/
Middle Egyptian
P ETER B EYLAGE
UNIVERSITE DE LIEGE
Bibliotheque ALPHA
Langues et l.itteratures
Orientales
EISENBRAUNS I UNIVERSITY PARK, PA
Library ofCongress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names:Beylage,Peter,author.
Title:MiddleEgyptian /PeterBeylage.
Other titles:Languages oftheancient NearEast.
Description: University Park,Pennsylvania :Eisenbrauns,[2018]ISeries:Languagesofthe
ancientNearEast IIncludesbibliographical referencesandindex.
Summary:"Provides acomprehensive overview ofMiddle Egyptian andsystematically
illustrates itsgrammatical features.Includes exercises attheendofeach chapter,alongwith
asignlist andahieroglyphic dictionary"-Providedbypublisher.
Identifiers:LCCN 2018031476 IISBN 9781575069777(cloth: alk.paper)
Subjects: LCSH: Egyptian language-Grammar.
Classification: LCCPJll35 .B492018 IDDC493/.15-dc23
LCrecord available athttps://lccn.loc.gov/2018031476
Copyright © 2018The Pennsylvania StateUniversity
Allrightsreserved.
Printed intheUnited StatesofAmerica.
PublishedbyThePennsylvania StateUniversity Press,
University Park,PA16802-1003
Eisenbrauns isanimprintofThe PennsylvaniaStateUniversity Press.
ThePennsylvania StateUniversity Pressisamember ofthe
Association ofUniversity Presses.
ItisthepolicyofThePennsylvaniaStateUniversity Press touseacid-freepaper.Publications
onuncoated stocksatisfytheminimum requirements oftheNationalStandard for Information
Sciences-PermanenceofPaperforPrinted Library Material,ANSIZ39.48-1992.
\
I
CONTENTS
Abbreviations xxvii
Preface xxix
Introduction
0.1. The language family 1
0.2. Thelanguage history 1
0.3. DecipheringAncient Egyptian 5
PART I
WRITING SYSTEM ANDWORD CLASSES
Chapter 1 TheWriting System and Its Transliteration
1.1. Hieroglyphic 13
1.2. Hieratic 13
1.3. Principlesofthehieroglyphicwritingsystem 15
1.3.1. Logograms 15
1.3.2. Phonograms 15
1.3.2.1. Uniliteralsigns andthepronunciationofAncient Egyptian 16
1.3.2.2. Biliteralsigns 19
1.3.2.3. Triliteral signs 21
1.3.3. Determinatives [classifiers] 22
1.3.3.1. Generic determinatives .: 22
1.3.3.2. Group determinatives 24
1.3.4. Summary 24
1.4., Peculiaritiesofthe hieroglyphicwritingsystem 25
1.4.1. Phoneticcomplements 25.
1.4.1.1. Double complementation 27
1.4.2. Phonetic determinatives 28
1.4.3. Writingdirection 29
1.4.4. Calligraphy 30
1.4.5. Defectiveand abbreviated spellings 31
1.4.6. Orthography 32
1.4.7. Phonetic changes 32
1.4.8. Syllabic orthography 33
1.4.9. Structural signs andtext-criticalsymbols 33
v
vi Contents
Chapter2 Nouns
2.1. Ingeneral 35
2.1.1. Definition 35
2.1.1.1. Proper nouns/Common nouns 35
2.1.1.2. Defined nouns/ Undefined nouns 35
2.1.1.3. Concrete nouns/Abstract nouns 36
2.1.1.4. Countable nouns/ Uncountable nouns 36
2.1.1.5. Collectivenouns 36
2.1.1.6. Nounequivalents 36
2.1.1.6.1. Pronouns inabsoluteuse 36
2.1.1.6.2. Non-attributiveadjectives 36
2.1.1.6.3. Clauses and expressionsused as nouns 37
2.2. Derived andprefixed nouns 37
2.3. Endings andvocalisation 38
2.4. The nominalfeatures 39
2.4.1. Gender 39
2.4.1.1. Ingeneral 39
2.4.1.2. Particularremarksongender 40
2.4.2. Number 42
Exercise ................................................................................................................43
Chapter3 Noun Phrases
3.1. Definition 45
3.2. Differentkindsofnounphrases 45
3.2.1. Appositions 45
3.2.1.1. [NOUNPHRASE]1 [NOUNPHRASE]2 45
3.2.1.2. [TITLE][PROPERNOUN]/ [PROPER NOUN] [TITLE] 46
~
3.2.1.3. [NOUNPHRASE]1 m [NOUNPHRASE]2. 47
3.2.1.4. Negationofappositions 48
3.2.2. Genitivalconstructions[possessive relationship andsimilar
constructions] 48
3.2.2.1. Directgenitive 48
3.2.2.1.1. Honorifictransposition 49
3.2.2.2. Indirectgenitive 49
3.2.2.3. Semanticimplicationofgenitivalconstructions 51
3.2.3. Coordinationofnounsand noun phrases.: 56
3.2.3.1. Conjunctiverelation: [NOUN]1 and[NOUN]2 57
3.2.3.2. Disjunctiverelation:[NOUN]1or[NOUN]2 57
3.2.3.3. Additionandexclusion:'apartfrom [NOUN]' / 'exceptfor[NOUN]' 58
3.2.4. Otherqualifying ordefiningnounphrases 59
3.3. Differentstatuses ofnouns 59
Exercise ................................................................................................................60
Contents vii
Chapter4. Pronouns
4.1. Definition 63
4.2. Personalpronouns 64
4.2.1. Suffix pronouns : 64
4.2.1.1. Ingeneral : 64
4.2.1.2. Forms 64
4.2.1.3. Useofthesuffixpronouns 65
4.2.1.3.1. Correspondentwiththe Englishpossessiveadjective [my,your,etc.] 65
4.2.1.3.2. Pronominalsubjectofaverbalpredicate 66
4.2.1.3.3. Subjectofa relativeform 67
4.2.1.3.4. Subjectpronoun aftercertainparticles,therelativeadjective,and
noun clause markers 67
4.2.1.3.5. Objectofapreposition 67
4.2.2. Encliticpersonalpronouns 67
4.2.2.1. Ingeneral 67
4.2.2.2. Forms 68
4.2.2.3. Useoftheencliticpersonalpronouns 68
4.2.2.3.1. Objectpronoun 68
4.2.2.3.2. Subjectpronounafter certain particles 69
4.2.2.3.3. Pronominalsubject innominaloradjectival clauses 69
4.2.2.3.4. Pronominalvocative inimperativeclauses 70
4.2.3. Independentpersonalpronouns 70
4.2.3.1. Ingeneral 70
4.2.3.2. Forms 70
4.2.3.3. Use oftheindependentpersonal pronouns 71
4.2.3.3.1. Initialsubjectpronoun 71
4.2.3.3.2. Inpossessiveclauses 71
4.2.3.3.3. Antecedentofaspecifyingapposition 72
4.3. Egyptian expressions for'self' 73
/
~r ~
4.3.1. qs,: 'self'/ 'own' 73
4.3.2. Otherexpressions :::- 74
4.4. Demonstrativepronouns 75
4.4.1. The differentseries 75
4.4.2. Constructionofthe demonstrative pronouns , 76
4.4.2.1. Adjectivalforms 76
4.4.2.2. Nominalforms : 76
4.4.3. Demonstrative pronouns asdeterminers 77
4.4.3.1. First series [-w] 77
4.4.3.2. Second[-n]and third[1']series 77
4.4.3.3. Fourth series [-J] 79
4.4.3.3.1. Theser.ies ~~~ \\p,)y, Q~~ \\ts>y,~'R \\ ns)y ..79
4.4.4. Demonstrative pronouns inabsolute use 80
4.4.5. Demonstrativepronounsmarking the vocative 80
viii Contents
4.5. Possessive article,possessivepronoun,and possessiveprefix 81
4.6. Interrogativepronouns 83
4.6.1. Treated as nouns 84
4.6.1.1. Interrogativeadverbial phrases 84
4.6.2. Treated asadverbs 85
Exercise . 85
Chapter 5 Adjectives
5.1. Definition 87
5.1.1. Endings ofprimary and secondaryadjectives 87
5.2. Syntacticfunctionsofadjectives 88
5.2.1. Attributive adjectives 88
5.2.1.1. Attributiveadjectives innoun phrases 89
5.2.2. Non-attributive adjectives 90
5.2.2.1. Expressions for 'everybody'/ 'everything', 'somebody'/ 'something',
'anybody'/ 'anything' ; 91
5.2.2.2. Interrogativeadjectives 93
5.2.3. Predicative adjectives 93
5.3. Expression ofcomparative and superlative 93
5.4. The nfr Qr-construction 95
5.5. Egyptian equivalents ofother English adjectives 96
5.5.1. 'Other' 96
5.5.2. 'One [ ]the other' : 97
5.5.3. 'Uncountable','afew',and 'alittle' 99
5.5.4. 'Entire','whole','complete' 100
5.5.5. 'Each','every' 100
Exercise .. 101
Chapter6 Prepositions
6.1. Definition 103
6.2. Simple prepositions 104
6.3. Compound prepositions 111
Exercise . 112
Chapter7 TheAdjectival Conversion ofNouns and Prepositions
J
TheNisba
7.1. Ingeneral · 115
7.2. Endings,morphology,and spellings 115
7.2.1. Derived from apreposition 116
7.2.2. Derived from anoun 118
7.2.3. Particular spellings 119
7.3. Attributive nisba phrases 120
7.3.1. Special meanings ofparticularnisba phrases 120
-
Contents ix
7.4. Attributivenisbaphrases vs.non-attributivenisba phrases 121
7.5. Adverbprepositional phrases vs.adjective prepositional phrases 123
7.6. Nisba adjectives inthenfr Q~onstruction 124
Exercise . : 125
Chapter8 Adverbs
8.1. Definition 127
8.2. Differentkinds of Egyptian adverbs 127
8.2.1. Primary adverbs 127
8.2.2. Adjectivaladverbs 127
8.2.3. Prepositionaladverbs 128
8.2.3.1. Derivedfromsimple prepositions 128
8.2.3.2. Derivedfrom compound prepositions 129
8.2.4. 'Pronominal adverbs' 129
8.3. Otherkindsofadverbial phrases 129
8.3.1. Adverbprepositional phrases 129
8.3.2. Adverbialuse ofnouns .. 130
8.3.3. Adverb clauses 131
8.4. Negation ofadverbs and adverbial phrases 131
8.5. Absolute useofadverbial phrases 132
8.6. Examples for adverbs and adverbial phrases qualifying clauses
and phrases 132
8.7. Adverbs and adverbial phrases qualifying adjectives and
adjectival adverbs 134
8.7.1. Expression ofthe comparative 134
8.7.1.1. Omission ofprepositions and references inadverbial phrases 136
8.7.2. Adverbsand adverbial phrases asintensifiers 137
Exercise . 139
Chapter9 Numbers
9.1. Cardinal numbers .,. 141
9.1.1. Numeral signs 141
9.1.2. Pronunciation ofthe cardinal numbers 142
9.1.3. Cardinal numbers asnouns 143
9.1.3.1. Collective nouns derived from numerals 144
9.1.4. Syntax ofthe cardinal numbers 145
9.1.4.1. The numbersone andtwo 145
9.1.4.2. Higher numbers 146
9.1.4.3. Administrative notation of numbers and measuring words 147
9.2. Ordinal numbers 149
9.2.1. Ingeneral 149
9.2.2. Construction ofthe ordinal numbers 149
x Contents
9.3. Fractions 150
9.4. Excursus:The division oftime 151
9.4.1. Thedivisionoftheyear 151
9.4.2. Furtherdivisionsoftime 153
9.4.3. The date 154
Exercise . 156
Chapter 10 Verbs- Definitionand VerbClasses
10.1. Definition 159
10.2. Morphologicalverbclasses 159
10.2.1. Firmverbs 159
10.2.2. Mutableverbs 161
10.2.2.1. Verbswithaweaklast radical
[verba ultimae radicalisinfirmae =verba ultinf] 161
10.2.2.2. Verbswith ageminated last radical
[verba ultimae radicalis geminatae= verbaultgem] 161
10.2.2.3. Causativeverbs 162
10.2.2.4. Irregularverbs 162
Chapter 11 The INFINITIVE andOtherVerbal Nouns,theNEGATIVAL
COMPLEMENT, andtheCOMPLEMENTARY INFINITIVE
11.1. The INFINITiVE 163
11.1.1. Definition 163
11.1.2. Modification ofthe verb stem 164
11.1.3. Syntax ofthe INFINITiVE 166
11.1.3.1. Construction ofalogical subject 166
11.1.3.1.1. Asanagent 166
11.1.3.1.2. Asagenitivussubjectivus 167
11.1.3.2. Constructionofadirect and/ orindirectobject 167
11.1.3.2.1. The logical subject isconstructedas anagentor notexpressed atall 167
11.1.3.2.2. Thelogical subjectisconstructed asagenitivussubjectivus 169
11.1.3.3. Compound infinitivephrases 169
11.1.3.4 Adverbsandadverbial phrases 170
11.1.4. Overviewofthe word order 170
11.1.5. Useofthe INFINITIVE/infinitivephrases 170
1 11.1.5.1. Innoun phrases 170
11.1.5.2. Inheadings 171
11.1.5.3. Asanarrative infinitiveand incaptions 172
11.1.5.4. Asaconstituentinaclause orasthe objectofapreposition 174
11.1.5.5. Furtheruse oftheINFINITIVE 176
11.1.6. INFINITIVEvs. other verbal nouns 176
11.1.7 Negationofthe INFINITIVE 178
