Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
Luwian language

Luwian language

9.9
A dead language once spoken in ancient Turkey
  • noun
  • Specialized
: idioma luvio
  • The Luwian language shares many features with other Anatolian languages such as Hittite and Lycian.

Examples

  • Scholars have discovered ancient inscriptions written in the Luwian language.

  • Few people today can read the hieroglyphic script of the Luwian language.

  • The Luwian language was used in ancient Anatolia.

  • Did the Luwian language influence other languages?

  • Scholars have discovered ancient inscriptions written in the Luwian language.

  • Few people today can read the hieroglyphic script of the Luwian language.

  • The Luwian language shares many features with other Anatolian languages such as Hittite and Lycian.

Synonyms

Luwian
vsLuwian language
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A language no longer spoken that was used in ancient Turkey

uses historical term Anatolia rather than the modern country name
Luvian
vsLuwian language
  • Specialized
1 9.9

An old language once spoken in ancient Anatolia that is related to Lycian

uses past phrasing to show it was spoken in the past
Luvian language
vsLuwian language
  • Specialized
1 9.9

An old language once spoken in parts of ancient Turkey

uses Anatolia as the regional name instead of Asia Minor

Surface Forms

Luwian language singular

Morphology

Luwian + language

This is a straightforward noun phrase formed by a proper name + the noun 'language'; its meaning ('the language called Luwian') is directly derivable from the constituents. The pattern is compositional and cross-linguistically common (e.g. Spanish 'lengua luwiana'), so a B1 learner who knows both words will understand it.

Etymology

Luwian language comes from the name of the people called the Luwians, who lived long ago in the area now called Turkey. So the name simply means 'the language of the Luwians' and refers to a language that is no longer spoken but appears in old inscriptions.