Definition

Noun: - An extinct branch of the Indo-European language family: A group of languages, now all extinct, that were spoken in ancient Anatolia (modern-day Turkey). These languages are known primarily from inscriptions and are of great importance for reconstructing the Proto-Indo-European language.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Hittite is the most well-known Anatolian language.
  • Scholars study the Anatolian language family to understand early Indo-European migrations.

Advanced Usage

• In linguistic reconstruction: The term is used to describe the collective evidence from these languages used in comparative linguistics.
  • The discovery of new texts in an Anatolian language can significantly alter theories about Proto-Indo-European phonology.

Variants and Related Words

• Anatolian (adj): Pertaining to Anatolia or the Anatolian languages.
  • The Anatolian hieroglyphic script was used for Luwian.
• Proto-Anatolian (n): The hypothesized common ancestor of all Anatolian languages.

Synonyms

• Anatolian: (When used as a noun to refer to the language branch).
• Anatolic: (A less common synonym).

Notes on Meaning

This term refers exclusively to the historical linguistic branch. It is not used to describe any modern languages spoken in the region. The primary members include Hittite, Palaic, Luwian, Lycian, Lydian, and Carian.

Noun

1. an extinct branch of the Indo-European family of languages known from inscriptions and important in the reconstruction of Proto-Indo European