Remarks on Inner-Tocharian Borrowing and the Etymology of Tocharian A lek 'shape; gesture', B lek* 'gesture'

Imberciadori, Giulio (2023) Remarks on Inner-Tocharian Borrowing and the Etymology of Tocharian A lek 'shape; gesture', B lek* 'gesture'. ACTA ORIENTALIA ACADEMIAE SCIENTIARUM HUNGARICAE, 76 (3). pp. 337-353. ISSN 0001-6446

Text 062-article-p337.pdf Restricted to Repository staff only until 31 August 2025. Download (729kB)

Abstract

After discussing some thus far unknown examples of inner-Tocharian borrowing processes with direction TA >> TB, the present paper argues that also the substantive B lek* 'gesture' represents a loanword from Tocharian A, in particular from the Tocharian A form lek 'shape; gesture'. Under the assumption of a semantic development 'equality, identity, correspondence' double right arrow 'figure, shape' double right arrow 'gesture' - for which parallels are available -, A lek is etymologically connected with the independently reconstructable root PIE *leig'(be[come]) equal' and thus traced back to a nominal pre-form *loig-u- or *loig-o-.

Actions (login required)

Edit Item