The Original Diphthongs in Hittite

Abstract

The development of the original diphthongs in Hittite has seemed to be a peculiarly difficult problem; but evidence has gradually accumulated' until something like a system has emerged. We may now say that all the original short diphthongs appear in Hittite as monophthongs, whereas the original long diphthongs retain their diphthongal character. It is not always possible to distinguish with certainty between the several diphthongs; but it will promote clearness if I treat them separately, as far as possible. Primitive Indo-Hittitel ai (ai) appears in the nominative plural neuter of the pronominal declension (kue 'quae', ke 'haec', ape 'illa', i, 8e 'ea', te ne 'et ea', udne 'countries') and in the medial ending -ti, which corresponds with Greek -rae and Sanskrit -te (op. cit. 144). Probably another example is afforded by the adjective idalu' 'bad', which I would connect with Gk. aZhaXos 'smoky flame', ailahX6M 'soil with soot', passive 'be laid waste by fire', Old Saxon Tdal, idil, Old English idel, Old High German ital 'idle'. The variation in orthography (e:i) will be discussed below.