Review #1
Sumerian Pronunciation
True or False
Read the following sentences and determine whether they are ‘true’ or ‘false’.
- No scholars believe Sumerian had an /o/ vowel.
- The Akkadians couldn’t differentiate between the /g/ and /k/ sounds.
- Syllable emphasis may have played a role in Sumerian pronunciation.
- In the most distant times, Sumerian words probably started with a consonant.
Multiple Choice
Read the following sentences and choose the correct answer.
1. Sumerian /a/ is pronounced like the:
a) /a/ in ‘at’
b) /a/ in ‘father’
c) /e/ in ‘grey’
2. Sumerian /e/ is pronounced like the:
a) /e/ in ‘doer’
b) /e/ in ‘every’
c) /e/ in ‘whey’
3. Sumerian /i/ is pronounced like the:
a) /i/ in ‘fine’
b) /i/ in ‘inner’
c) /e/ in ‘me’
4. Sumerian /u/ is pronounced like the:
a) /o/ in ‘do’
b) /u/ in ‘under’
c) /e/ in ‘when’
5. Sumerian /š/ is pronounced like:
a) the /sch/ in ‘school’
b) the /s/ is ‘sick’
c) the /sh/ in ‘shop’
6. Sumerian ĝ might be pronounced like:
a) French /r/
b) the /ng/ in ‘bring’
c) all of the above
d) none of the above
Answers
True or False
- False—Some scholars believe Sumerian had an /o/ vowel.
- True—The Akkadians couldn’t differentiate between the /g/ and /k/ sounds.
- True—Syllable emphasis may have played a role in Sumerian pronunciation.
- True—In the most distant times, Sumerian words probably started with a consonant.
Multiple Choice
- Sumerian /a/ is pronounced like the: b) /a/ in ‘father’
- Sumerian /e/ is pronounced like the: c) /e/ in ‘whey’
- Sumerian /i/ is pronounced like the: c) /e/ in ‘me’
- Sumerian /u/ is pronounced like the: a) /o/ in ‘do’
- Sumerian /š/ is pronounced like: c) the /sh/ in ‘shop’
- Sumerian ĝ might be pronounced like: c) all of the above
How Did You Do?
If you got more than 3 wrong, you may want to go back and review the Sumerian Lessons on pronunciation.
