Disciplines
Linguistics and Literature (100%)
Keywords
LEHNWÖRTER LATEINISCHE,
PAPYRI GRIECHISCHE,
GRIECHISCHE LEXIKOGRAPHIE,
LATEINISCHE LEXIKOGRAPHIE
Abstract
Contribution to Publishing D 3246 Lexikon der lateinischen Lehnwörter, Faszikel II Irene-Maria CERVENKA-
EHRENSTRASSE 26.6.2000
The vocabulary of the Greek (and also Coptic) papyri is quite important for the history and tradition of the Greek
language as a whole.
Moreover, since Egypt was made part of the Imperium Romanum after the battle of Actium, many Latin words
have found their way into Greek everyday language due to the contact of the inhabitants with Roman officials,
soldiers and traders. Some of the Latin words can only be reconstructed because of Greek or Coptic evidence.
These Latin loanwords do not only concern the language of the administration or of the army, but include also
juridical terms, measures and containers, Latin month-names and coins. In everyday life documents, as private
letters and lists, we find loanwords for clothes, items of furniture, colours and so on.
The aim of this project is to list all Latin loanwords in alphabetical order, which occur in Greek or Coptic
documents. Each lemma is followed by translation(s), the Latin equivalent, graphic variants (including the Coptic
ones), abbreviations, etymologically related words, Greek synonyms, all known examples arranged chronologically
and cited verbatim, bibliography and discussion of individual points. One of the aims of this Lexicon of Latin
loanvi,,ords is to show that these loanwords are not isolated to Egypt, but can be viewed within the context of the
continuous exchange between Latin and Greek in the Greek speaking East.
Thanks to a first project financed by the `Fonds zur Förderung der wissenschaftlichen Forschung (FWF)" the first
fascicle of the ,Lexicon of Latin Loanwords in Greek documentary texts with reference to Coptic documents" could
be completed by Irene Cervenka-Ehrenstrasser and was printed by the Austrian National Library ("Mitteilungen
aus der Papyrussammlung der Österreichischen Nationalbibliothek, N. S. XXVII)". In this volume all loanwords
beginning with alpha are included. Thanks to the FWF a second project. (again directed by Dr. J. Diethart:
participant Mag. Irene Cervenka-Ehrenstrasser) has been enabled. As a result of this project the second fascicle
(Lemmata Beta-Delta) is ready to be printed.