英语翻译
LESSON 2
SCRIPT.SPECIAL CONVENTIONS.1.
= ha≥:
The signwas frequently used alone in positions where we (for historical reasons) would expect
.Such a use ofis indicated by transcribing it as ha≥.Most often this occurs in the combination
-aha≥ya- instead of-ahiya- < *-ahya-.The spelling-ahiya- is
found in the inscriptions of Xerxes.
Examples of ha≥ in other positions:ha≥z˝nam “the tongue,” ha≥πtataiy “it stands.”
Examples of hi:Hinduπ “India” (actually Sindh),Hinduya- “Indian.”
= h¨Ÿ-:
Original initial hu- or h¨- is writtenh¨Ÿ- in Old Persian,see the vocabulary.
= a≥r:
The signwas also used to spell oer,the Indo-Iranian so-called “vocalic r,” that is,an r used as a vowel
(CoerC; similar to American pronunciation of er in perhaps [poerhæps]).Such a use of ra is indicated here by
writing a≥r,for instance vaza≥rka-,cf.New Persian bozorg,with a≥r > or,as opposed to martiya-,Persian
mard,with ar > ar (see lesson 8).Vocalic r is always preceded by asign,neveror .
NOUNS AND ADJECTIVES.THE NOMINAL SYSTEM.
Nouns (substantives) can be 1.proper names (e.g.,D˝rayavahu-,Viπt˝spa-) or 2.common nouns
(appellatives,e.g.,xπ˝yaƒiya- “king,” puça- “son”).Many adjectives can be used as nouns as well,e.g.,
P˝rsa- “a Persian,Persian” (e.g.,army),or “Persia.”
There is no definite or indefinite article.Sometimes the numeral “one,” 1,aiva-,is used in the meaning
of “a single” or “a certain (one).” See also lesson 12 on the “specifying” or “delimiting” function of
relative clauses.
Nouns,adjectives,and pronouns can be of three genders (masculine = masc.,feminine = fem.,neuter =
neut.).There are three numbers (singular,dual,plural) and six cases (nominative,vocative,accusative,
genitive-dative,instrumental-ablative,locative).
Nouns and adjectives are classed in vocalic and consonantic declensions.Vowel-declension nouns have
a vowel before the ending (˝Ÿ,˘,¨Ÿ,ai,au),while consonant-declension nouns have a consonant before the
ending (most common:n,r,h,but also p,t,nt,d,ƒ).
The stem vowel a of the a-declensions is often referred to as the “thematic vowel” and the a-declensions
as “thematic declensions” vs.“athematic” declensions.The same terminology is used for verbs.