Meaning of phonetic determinative | Babel Free

Definitions

1. a type of hieroglyph that functions similarly to a phonogram, representing a series of consonants, but is unable to function autonomously and must follow other phonograms that together represent the same consonants
2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see phonetic, determinative.

Examples

“Now if we look at the meaning of the five-rayed star (Fig. III-1,c,i) as an Egyptian hieroglyph [Gardiner, 1957, 487, symbols N13,14,15], we find that when the star was alone it was used as an ideogram or determinative (sometimes it was also used phonetically or as a phonetic determinative) in various words having to do with stars or constellations.”

“Although the standing ram, fully articulated and thus suggesting vitality, can function as a generic determinative, it also appears in the primary position, often accompanied by a phonetic determinative: either the flaming bꜣ-pot or the nẖnm-vase for ẖnm.”

“It is difficult to know whether the boat hieroglyph was merely intended as an ideogram, or as a phonetic determinative for the verb ḫd, ‘to fare downstream’.”

“At this point, one can notice that “entire words entering bodily into the writing of etymologically unrelated words” is not a phenomenon limited to the so-called “phonetic determinatives”.”

CEFR level