Ancient Anatolian languages and cultures in contact: some methodological observations

Abstract

In this paper, we will review the methodological and theoretical frameworks that have been developed to deal with the study of language contact and linguistic areas. We have tried to apply these methods to ancient contexts to check the existence of conditions for identifying language areas. Finally, we will provide examples of the combined linguistic and cultural-historical approach to ancient contact areas for phenomena in reciprocal direction, with particular reference to the case of the Aegean and Ancient Near Eastern context of Ancient Anatolia.