On the suffix writing of perfect sḏm=f in the Papyrus Abbott

Toward a language description based upon a bottom-up approach

Abstract

In this article the author analyzed the forms of the suffix writing of the perfect sḏm=f attested in the Late Egyptian Hieratic Manuscript Papyrus Abbott (BM10221) and pointed out the following results: Some strong verbs (ḏd, pḥ, sẖ⫖) have suffix .w, but others (rḫ, ỉṯ⫖, sḏm, sỉp, wḥm) do not. Some weak verbs (⫖wỉ, thỉ) have suffix .y, but others (gmỉ, ỉnỉ) do not. The irregular verb rdỉ employs the strong verb type suffix .w, whereas ỉrỉ uses the weak verb type of suffix .y and its allomorph .yw/.wy. This tendency suggests that each verbal category could be divided into several sub-categories.