Phonetic Classifiers in the Anatolian Hieroglyphic Script

The Anatolian hieroglyphic script has number of signs, which have not been studied in a systematic manner, the so-called ‘phonetic indicators’ or ‘phonetic complements’. This category comprises a small group of phonetic signs, which occur in combi- nation with semantic signs and seem to hint at part of their phonetic realisation. The following article offers a study of phonetic complements in hieroglyphic inscriptions. It shows that clear rules govern the use of these signs, and it is suggested that this group should be called ‘phonetic classifiers’, analogous to ‘semantic classifiers’.