The relativity of geographic terms a re-investigation of the problem of Upper and Lower Aram

In different languages, or dialects of the same language spoken in different regions, words originally meaning 'above/upper' as opposed to 'below/lower' serve as terms for different cardinal directions, depending on the topographical character of the region (highland versus lowland). Thus, in the Akkadian of Nuzi elēnu (literally 'above') indicates 'East', while in the Aramaic of the Mandaeans mulia 'upper' means 'North'. Considering the topography of Egypt and Syria and the broad context in which the terms occur, two conclusions follow: (1) In Egyptian Aramaic 'lyh (literally 'upper') indicates 'South', and thcombining dot belowtyh (literally 'lower') indicates 'North'. (2) 'ly 'rm = αcombining comma abovecombining acute accentνω Συρcombining acute accentια = Southern Syria (Lebanon Mountains), and thcombining dot belowt 'rm = καcombining acute accentτω Συρcombining acute accentια = Northern Syria ('anscombining dot belowariyā and Antioch).