Kalbak-Tash XXI (A-44)

Description

The inscription is 64 cm long; the height of the signs is 2,9-4,7 cm; it consists of 25 signs, it is one vertical line. It was discovered by V.D. Kubarev in 1987on plane III (Kubarev & Jacobson 1996: fig. 384). While studying the inscription he could not read one sign, the last one, which was spoiled by knockouts. D.D. Vasil’ev considers this fragment to be a part of inscription А-48 according to his numeration, see Kalbak-Tash XIX.

Reading of I. L. Kyzlasov

Transliteration: i g ü(ö) : b² z g l² i : q r¹ m n² j² g l² : s²(š²) k b²(m?) n² j² g ŋ(ä?p?)

Transcription: igü : b(e)z(ä)g(ä)li : q(a)r(a)m(i)n j(e)g(i)ŋ(?) :…j(e)g(i)ŋ(?)

Translation: From the moment when the С момента, как chisel (?) cut (?) (an inscription), your kindness my filth, my(?)… your kindness (purified) (?).

(Kyzlasov 2002: 124)

Comments

I. L. Kyzlasov published only a preliminary reading of this inscription. He wrote, «Although a reading of this inscription cannot be given yet, the general content of this line is rather clear – this is a request to free someone of spiritual imperfection, or a gratitude expression for realization of a request after an inscription or a sign were made on this rock.» (Kyzlasov 2002: 125–127).

However, the word igü does not exist, nor the word yegü. In the original of the manuscript that DTS cites for this word, there is a lacuna on the place where this word is supposed to be. Yüligü ‘razor, knife for shaving’ could be there with a higher degree of probability, according to the Sanskrit original of the cited manuscript, see Clauson about yegü and yüligü. Yüligü is also documented in MK, and in one text in the Uighur writing.

Reading of L.N.Tybykova, I.A. Nevskaya and M. Erdal

Runic transliteration:

Transliteration:

I/s² g² Ü : b² z g² l² I : k¹ r¹ m n² y² g² l²: s² k² b² n² y² g² p

Transcription:

(ä)šgü b(ä)z(ä)g(ä)li : k(o)r(u)m n(ä) y(e)g(ö)l : ...

Translation:

The massive rock is very suitable for depicting goats! ...

Comments

1. Both Uighur and Karakhanid examples of the use of the word goat can be read as äčgü, because k and g are not distinguished in those writing systems. k could also be secondary, due to the assimilation of the k according to the quality “voiceless”. The cluster čg/čk could get simplified to šg/šk in the dialect of the inscription (see Erdal 2005: 113 on development of the cluster čt > št).

2. y(e)g(ö)l is contracted yeg ol, he pronominal copula ol got cliticized and became harmonic, on similar developments see also nägül, which is contracted -gUl from -gU ol (Erdal 2005: 125–126, 526). In texts written in Brahmi we also encounter okïgol which is a contracted okïgu ol ‘this should be read’.