The Carian language was the language of the Carians. It was an Anatolian language, apparently closer to Lydian than to Lycian. It is attested by a number of proper names (Sangodos, Kaphenos, Truoles, Nastes, Nomion, Mausolos, etc.) and a small corpus of inscriptions, from which some Carian words have been identified (see some examples below).

The Carian language was heavily influenced by older aboriginal languages of Anatolia, such as the pre-Indo-European tongue of the Leleges who also dwelt in Caria (and with whom the Carians were sometimes confounded). Hellenization of Caria would lead to the extinction of the Carian language in the first century BC or early in the Common Era.

Carian words

• avka 'definition, situation' (Lydian avka-, 'a situation')
• cehi 'him' (Lycian se-si, 'him')
• glous 'robber, pirate'
• kave 'a priest' (Lydian kave, 'a priest')
• lile 'atonement' (Hittite 'lila', 'atonement')
• mukwar 'a prayer' (Hittite mugawwar, 'a prayer')
• ravmi 'liberated' (Hittite arawa, 'free')
• sav- 'to glorify'
• sav, sava 'something good' (Lydian sav-, 'good')
• tavse 'powerful' (Lydian tavs'a, 'power' <PIE *teu, 'powerful, swollen')
• ul-, velu- (Hittite walla, 'to praise'
• usselos 'spear-carrier' (
• ussos 'spear' (

Ancient languages | Anatolian languages | Extinct languages of Asia | Carians

Karische Sprache | Język karyjski | Kariska