The issue of the writing ş in orkhon inscriptions

Abstract

It has been stated by many researchers since Thomsen and Radloff that the writing system used in the Orkhon Inscriptions is of a highly developed structure. Although there have been studies for a long time on the Inscriptions and the Gokturk writing system, situation that /ş/ consonant corresponds to three different signs (Ş-ş, S 1 -S, S 2 -s) is still an unanswered question. The explanations that these different uses are arbitrary or spelling mistakes to denote the /ş/ consonant in the Orkhon Turkic are not very satisfactory. In the Old Uighur texts, /-mIş/ past tense adjective-verb suffix is also seen as /-mIs/. The /ş/ consonant in the Old Turkic systematically changed into /s/ consonant in some Turkic dialects of the Kipchak group. Examles of the systematic /ş/>/s/ change are seen in the Anatolian Turkish dialects. These shows that the use of S 1 (S) and S 2 (s) signs togather with the sign of Ş (ş) to denote the /ş/ consonant in Orkhon Turkic is a dialect feature. With this study, it is understood that the dialect of ş is dominant in Kul Tigin and Bilge Kagan, and the dialect of s is donimant in Tonyukuk; by considering the three inscriptions, it is understood that the s dialect is generally dominant. The presented data will be a guide for new readings and studies on the Inscriptions.

Keywords

• orkhon i̇nscriptions
• runic signs
• ş consonant
• s dialect
• ş dialect