On the figurative use of numbers in Akkadian letters. Approximation, repetition, and exaggeration in iterative numerals
This article investigates the figurative use of numbers in Akkadian letters from the Old to the Neo-Babylonian periods. Drawing on a corpus of over 60 examples, the study shows how numbers – particularly low iterative numerals (from one to ten) – are employed to convey approximation, repetition, and...
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| Formato: | Artículo revista |
| Lenguaje: | Inglés |
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Universidad Nacional de Rosario
2025
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| Acceso en línea: | https://claroscuro.unr.edu.ar/index.php/revista/article/view/172 |
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I15-R225-article-1722025-12-20T17:53:37Z On the figurative use of numbers in Akkadian letters. Approximation, repetition, and exaggeration in iterative numerals Sobre el uso figurado de los números en las cartas acadias. Aproximación, repetición y exageración en los numerales iterativos Renzi-Sepe, Maria Teresa Tradición epistolar cuneiforme Cartas acadia Numerales iterativos Hipérboles Números simbólicos Cuneiform epistolary tradition Akkadian letters Iterative numerals Hyperbole Symbolic numbers This article investigates the figurative use of numbers in Akkadian letters from the Old to the Neo-Babylonian periods. Drawing on a corpus of over 60 examples, the study shows how numbers – particularly low iterative numerals (from one to ten) – are employed to convey approximation, repetition, and emphasis rather than exact quantities. Sequences such as “two times, three times” or “five times, six times” typically indicate vague frequencies and express reproach, anxiety, or proficiency. In contrast, round and large numbers – such as 100, 1000, or 3600 – are used hyperbolically in blessings and greetings, especially in hierarchical contexts, to amplify the sender’s goodwill or loyalty. The analysis highlights how social context shapes the pragmatic use of numbers, with more deferential tones toward superiors and more accusatory tones among peers or subordinates. Drawing on comparative linguistic research, the study highlights that this phenomenon is not unique to Akkadian but reflects broader patterns of numerical symbolism across languages. Ultimately, the article proposes that numbers in Akkadian letters function as rhetorical devices, enriching the expressive and communicative power of epistolary exchange. Este artículo investiga el uso figurativo y no literal de los números en las cartas acadias desde el periodo paleobabilónico hasta el neobabilónico. A partir de un corpus de más de 60 ejemplos, el estudio demuestra cómo los números – en particular los numerales iterativos bajos (del uno al diez) – se emplean para expresar aproximación, repetición y énfasis, más que cantidades exactas. Secuencias como “dos veces, tres veces” o “cinco veces, seis veces” indican frecuencias imprecisas y expresan reproche, ansiedad o competencia. En contraste, los números redondos y altos – como 100, 1000 o 3600 – se usan de forma hiperbólica en bendiciones y saludos, especialmente en contextos jerárquicos, para reforzar la buena voluntad o lealtad del remitente. El análisis destaca cómo el contexto social influye en el uso pragmático de los números, con tonos más deferentes hacia los superiores y tonos más acusatorios entre iguales o subordinados. Basado en estudios lingüísticos comparativos, el artículo señala que este fenómeno no es exclusivo del acadio, sino que refleja patrones más amplios de simbolismo numérico en distintas lenguas. En última instancia, se propone que los números en las cartas acadias funcionan como recursos retóricos que enriquecen el poder expresivo y comunicativo del intercambio epistolar. Universidad Nacional de Rosario 2025-12-16 info:eu-repo/semantics/article info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion application/pdf https://claroscuro.unr.edu.ar/index.php/revista/article/view/172 10.35305/cl.vi24.172 Claroscuro. Revista del Centro de Estudios sobre Diversidad Cultural; No. 24 (2025): In search of meaning: Studies on the Akkadian lexicon; 1-29 Claroscuro. Revista del Centro de Estudios sobre Diversidad Cultural; Núm. 24 (2025): En busca de significado: Estudios sobre el léxico acadio; 1-29 2314-0542 eng https://claroscuro.unr.edu.ar/index.php/revista/article/view/172/166 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0 |
| institution |
Universidad Nacional de Rosario |
| institution_str |
I-15 |
| repository_str |
R-225 |
| container_title_str |
Claroscuro |
| language |
Inglés |
| format |
Artículo revista |
| topic |
Tradición epistolar cuneiforme Cartas acadia Numerales iterativos Hipérboles Números simbólicos Cuneiform epistolary tradition Akkadian letters Iterative numerals Hyperbole Symbolic numbers |
| spellingShingle |
Tradición epistolar cuneiforme Cartas acadia Numerales iterativos Hipérboles Números simbólicos Cuneiform epistolary tradition Akkadian letters Iterative numerals Hyperbole Symbolic numbers Renzi-Sepe, Maria Teresa On the figurative use of numbers in Akkadian letters. Approximation, repetition, and exaggeration in iterative numerals |
| topic_facet |
Tradición epistolar cuneiforme Cartas acadia Numerales iterativos Hipérboles Números simbólicos Cuneiform epistolary tradition Akkadian letters Iterative numerals Hyperbole Symbolic numbers |
| author |
Renzi-Sepe, Maria Teresa |
| author_facet |
Renzi-Sepe, Maria Teresa |
| author_sort |
Renzi-Sepe, Maria Teresa |
| title |
On the figurative use of numbers in Akkadian letters. Approximation, repetition, and exaggeration in iterative numerals |
| title_short |
On the figurative use of numbers in Akkadian letters. Approximation, repetition, and exaggeration in iterative numerals |
| title_full |
On the figurative use of numbers in Akkadian letters. Approximation, repetition, and exaggeration in iterative numerals |
| title_fullStr |
On the figurative use of numbers in Akkadian letters. Approximation, repetition, and exaggeration in iterative numerals |
| title_full_unstemmed |
On the figurative use of numbers in Akkadian letters. Approximation, repetition, and exaggeration in iterative numerals |
| title_sort |
on the figurative use of numbers in akkadian letters. approximation, repetition, and exaggeration in iterative numerals |
| description |
This article investigates the figurative use of numbers in Akkadian letters from the Old to the Neo-Babylonian periods. Drawing on a corpus of over 60 examples, the study shows how numbers – particularly low iterative numerals (from one to ten) – are employed to convey approximation, repetition, and emphasis rather than exact quantities. Sequences such as “two times, three times” or “five times, six times” typically indicate vague frequencies and express reproach, anxiety, or proficiency. In contrast, round and large numbers – such as 100, 1000, or 3600 – are used hyperbolically in blessings and greetings, especially in hierarchical contexts, to amplify the sender’s goodwill or loyalty. The analysis highlights how social context shapes the pragmatic use of numbers, with more deferential tones toward superiors and more accusatory tones among peers or subordinates. Drawing on comparative linguistic research, the study highlights that this phenomenon is not unique to Akkadian but reflects broader patterns of numerical symbolism across languages. Ultimately, the article proposes that numbers in Akkadian letters function as rhetorical devices, enriching the expressive and communicative power of epistolary exchange. |
| publisher |
Universidad Nacional de Rosario |
| publishDate |
2025 |
| url |
https://claroscuro.unr.edu.ar/index.php/revista/article/view/172 |
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