Category: Sumerian Language

Lesson 21 Sumerian Demonstrative Pronouns In this lesson, you’ll learn all about Sumerian demonstrative pronouns, enabling you to say "this" and "that" in Sumerian! Vocabulary to Memorize I highly recommend memorizing these Sumerian words, as you’ll encounter them often in the upcoming lessons!bé (bi) 𒁉 pron., dem., this, that (similar to ‘the’) (x261) (ba 𒁀 gen.). part., suff., poss., its (impers.)(erg., dir.); their (impers.) (erg., dir.); its/their (impers.) when used modifying a plural noun.ne 𒉈 pron., dem., this/that (here) (NS x1, OB x14).ri 𒊑 v., to be distant (OB x35); to cry out (OB x2). pron., dem., that, those (remoteness...

Lesson 20 Sumerian Interrogative Pronouns In this lesson, you’ll learn all about Sumerian interrogative pronouns, enabling you to ask questions in Sumerian! You May Want to Review Lesson 17 - Sumerian Independent PronounsLesson 18 - Sumerian Possessive Pronouns Vocabulary to Memorize I highly recommend memorizing these Sumerian words, as you’ll encounter them often in the upcoming lessons!a-ba 𒀀𒁀 who? (OS x2, OA x3, NS x20, OB x308)a-na 𒀀𒈾 pron., inter., what? (OS x2, OA x1, NS x73, OB x394), why? (OB x10); poss. his/her (gen., loc.) (earlier periods) (a)na (𒀀)𒈾.a-na-aš 𒀀𒈾𒀸 why? (OA x1, NS x8,  OB x68)a-na-gin7 𒀀𒈾𒄀 how?...

Lesson 19 Sumerian Reflexive Pronouns In this lesson, you’ll learn all about Sumerian reflexive pronouns. At the end of this lesson, we’ll start putting your Sumerian language knowledge to use. You May Want to Review Lesson 18 - Sumerian Possessive Pronouns Helpful Terms Here are some helpful terms you'll encounter in this lesson. You can see a full list in the Glossary of Terms.reflexive: a grammatical term marking the ability of a verb or pronoun to reflect action or attention back on itself. Vocabulary to Memorize I highly recommend memorizing these Sumerian words, as you’ll encounter them often in the...

Lesson 18 Sumerian Possessive Pronouns In this lesson, you’ll learn about Sumerian possessive pronouns. To make the lesson appear less intimidating, I didn’t include examples. However, you’ll start seeing these more in the coming lessons, so you’ll get plenty of time to practice!I highly recommend bookmarking this page for easy reference! You May Want to Review Lesson 7 - Grammatical Cases Jump to Section • My • Your (sg.) • His/Her • Its • Our • Your (pl.) • Their (pers.) • Their (impers.) Helpful Terms Here are some helpful terms you'll encounter in this lesson. You can see a...

Lesson 17 Sumerian Independent Personal Pronouns In this lesson, you’ll learn all about Sumerian independent personal pronouns. While it may seam like there’s a lot to cover, personal pronouns were rarely used, and when they were, they varied, which means there isn’t one settled-upon pronoun.I wanted to provide you with as many options as possible, as you will encounter these variations in Sumerian texts. However, I’ve provided a summary, as well as the oldest versions, which I use in my examples. Helpful Terms Here are some helpful terms you'll encounter in this lesson. You can see a full list in...

Lesson 16 Sumerian Enclitic Copula "To Be" In this lesson, you’ll learn about the Sumerian enclitic copula ‘to be’, which will start you on the path of creating basic copular phrases! Need a Refresher on Sumerian Verbs? Review Lesson 14 - Sumerian Tгansitive and Intгansitive Verbs Review Lesson 15 - Sumerian Рerfective and Imрerfective Verbs Helpful Terms Here are some helpful terms you'll encounter in this lesson. You can see a full list in the Glossary of Terms.copula: a verb that connects the subject of a sentence to a subject complement; often the word ‘was’, ‘is’, or ‘will be’.enclitic: a...

Lesson 15 Sumerian Perfective and Imperfective Verbs In this lesson, you’ll learn about Sumerian perfective and imperfective verbs, also known as hamṭu and marû. While they sound difficult, they're actually quite easy, so let's jump in! Need a Refresher on Sumerian Verbs? Review Lesson 14 - Sumerian Tгansitive and Intгansitive Verbs Helpful Terms Here are some helpful terms you'll encounter in this lesson. You can see a full list in the Glossary of Terms.aspect: indicates the nature or quality of the action or state, as in ‘ongoing’, or ‘completed’.hamṭu (h.): an Akkadian term meaning ‘quick’, referring to the Sumerian perfective...

Lesson 14 Sumerian Transitive and Intransitive Verbs In this lesson, you’ll learn about Sumerian Intransitive and Transitive Verbs. Don’t worry—they’re easier than they sound! Helpful Terms Here are some helpful terms you'll encounter in this lesson. You can see a full list in the Glossary of Terms.intransitive (trans.): a verb that doesn’t require a direct object to complete its meaning.transitive (intrans.): a verb that requires a direct object to complete its meaning. Vocabulary to Memorize I highly recommend memorizing these Sumerian words, as you’ll encounter them often in the upcoming lessons!dúr 𒂉 n., anus, buttocks; dwelling. v., to sit (intrans.);...

Lesson 13 Sumerian Adjectives In this lesson, you’ll learn about Sumerian adjectives, as well as reduplicating auslauts. Need a Refresher on Sumerian Words? Review Lesson 11 - How to Read CuneiformReview Lesson 12 - Sumerian Nouns Helpful Terms Here are some helpful terms you'll encounter in this lesson. You can see a full list in the Glossary of Terms.auslaut: the final consonant, sound, or syllable in a word, or syllable boundary.nominalizing suffix: a particle suffixed to a verb to create an adjective or noun.past participle: a verb which is modified to act as an adjective, as in ‘broken leg’. Vocabulary...

Lesson 12 Sumerian Nouns In this lesson, you’ll learn about simple, compound, and plural Sumerian nouns. Need a Refresher on Reading Cuneiform? Review Lesson 11 - How to Read Cuneiform Vocabulary to Memorize I highly recommend memorizing these Sumerian words, as you’ll encounter them often in the upcoming lessons!a-a 𒀀𒀀 n.,  father.ama 𒂼 n., mother.anše 𒀲 n., donkey, equid, pack animal.dub-sar 𒁾𒊬 n., scribe.é-gal 𒂍𒃲 n., palace. Vocabulary--Full List Here are the vocabulary terms for this lesson. Be sure to look them over as they’re updated with additional meanings each lesson. You can see the full Sumerian Lexicon here.a-a 𒀀𒀀...