On the Postposition of “Tuşı” in Kutadgu Bilig

Abstract

Kutadgu Bilig is one of the most significant works in the history of Islamic Turkish civilization. Although it has been examined numerous times until today, there are still some aspect in the work that are not noticed and investigated. This article focuses on a postposition named “tuşı” (tuş+ı). It is used 22 times as a postposition in the book. “Tuşı” is shown under “tuş” dictionary entry in the index prepared for this book. As a result of that, this postposition is not detected till today. It is produced by adding third singular possessive suffix to word tuş. Its possessive suffix played an important role during the word’s grammaticalization. Tuşı means “as”, “until”, “for” if it comes after nominative suffixes. It means “against”, “in return” if it is used after dative suffixes. Examples are seen at Karakhanid period works, which is not mentioned in studies yet. The only study that mentions this postposition is entitled Türk Dillerinde Sontakılar that belongs to Yong-Sōng Li. However, Li’s study has left many gaps that do not cover all the features of the postposition.