Category: Sumerian Language

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...

Lesson 11 How to Read Cuneiform In this lesson, you’ll learn how to read cuneiform word-signs. You'll also learn about its development, which will help you make sense of the logographic script! And, you'll learn about Sumerian determinitives! Need a Refresher on Cuneiform? Review Lesson 5 - Interpreting Cuneiform Signs Helpful Terms cuneiform: a wedge-shaped logo-syllabic script developed by the Sumerians and used by the Akkadians, Assyrians, and Babylonians, and currently recognized as the oldest known writing system.determinative (det.): an unpronounced word prefixed or suffixed to a noun to indicate classification. Vocabulary to Memorize I highly recommend memorizing these Sumerian...

Lesson 10 The Sumerian Verbal Chain In this lesson, you'll be introduced to the Sumerian verbal chain and its elements, which we’ll be discussing in greater detail later! Need a Refresher on Sumerian Sentences? Go Back to Lesson 8 - Sumerian Word OrderGo Back to Lesson 9 - The Sumerian Noмinal Chain Helpful Terms Here is a list of helpful terms you’ll encounter in this lesson. You can see the full Glossary of Terms here.conjugational prefix (conj. pref.): a particle affixed at the head of the verbal chain, which may or may not confer additional meaning about the action.dimensional infix...

Lesson 9 The Sumerian Nominal Chain In this lesson, you’ll take a major step forward in reading and speaking Sumerian, by learning about the Sumerian nominal chain! Need a Refresher on Sumerian Syntax Review Lesson 8 - Sumerian Word Order Helpful Terms Here is a list of helpful terms you’ll encounter in this lesson. You can see the full Glossary of Terms here.agent: the noun in the sentence that performs the action.copula: a verb that connects the subject of a sentence to a subject complement; often the word ‘was’, ‘is’, or ‘will be’.patient: the noun in the sentence that experiences...

Lesson 8 Sumerian Word Order In this lesson, you’ll get familiar with Sumerian word order, also known as Sumerian syntax. You’ll also be introduced to the Sumerian nominal chain and verbal chain, which are major parts of learning Sumerian! Need a Refresher on Case Markers? Go Back to Lesson 7 - Sumerian Grammatical Cases Helpful Terms Here is a list of helpful terms you’ll encounter in this lesson. You can see the full Glossary of Terms here.syntax: the order of words in a sentence.agent: the noun in the sentence that performs the action.infix: a particle within the verbal chain that...

Lesson 7 Sumerian Grammatical Cases In this lesson, you’ll be introduced to the Sumerian grammatical cases. We’ll be covering each of the cases in their own separate lessons, so don’t feel like you need to memorize them yet! Helpful Terms If you're new to language-learning, this list of helpful terms may seem overwhelming at first, but you'll see these often, so don't worry about memorizing them now! I just wanted to list them out so you can start familiarizing yourself!agent: the noun in the sentence that performs the action.case marker: a particle suffixed to a noun to indicate the role...