Zeichenwahl zur Präzisierung von Konsonant oder Vokal: zi und ṣe (zí) im Kodex Hammurapi
Abstract: The fact that the signs zi and zí were both used in the Codex Hammurapi to write the sequences /ṣi/ and /ze/ will be explained by the superposition of two orthographic systems. One system is based on the acquisition of phonetic values from Sumerian in which the vowels /i/ and /e/ were distinguished. In the other system, which must have developed in a Semitic context – presumably due to frequent writings of the sequence /ṣe/ in forms of the common verb waṣûm –, the primary phonetic value of the sign zí is /ṣe/. It will be demonstrated that the combination of the two orthographic systems was advantageously used in the Codex Hammurapi. The sign zí was employed for a more precise identification of the /ṣ/ onset and the sign zi for a more accurate marking of the /i/ vowel of the sequence /ṣi/.