Sumerian Language For Beginners

Learn the basics of Sumerian: cuneiform writing, grammar, vocabulary and texts.

What you'll learn

Learn the history of the Sumerian language

Recognize basic cuneiform signs

Decline Sumerian nouns and conjugate Sumerian verbs

Translate phrases from English to Sumerian

Read simple original Sumerian texts

Requirements

No previous knowledge of ancient languages is required.

Description

This course offers an opportunity to explore one of the most fascinating languages in human history – Sumerian.From a historical perspective, Sumerian opens a window into the written heritage of ancient Mesopotamia, often called the cradle of civilization, where the first cities, administrative system and writing emerged over 5 000 years ago. From a linguistic perspective, Sumerian is a language isolate – it has no known relatives and its grammar differs dramatically from what most learners (and professional linguists as well) are accustomed to.This course provides a concise but comprehensive introduction to the core features of the Sumerian language. We will learn how to decline nouns, conjugate verbs, build nominal and verbal chains and create simple and complex sentences. We will also study some of the most frequent and important Sumerian nouns, verbs and adjectives.After the theoretical lectures you will find practical exercises designed to help you reinforce understanding and memory of the newly introduced material.In the last lesson of the course you will be able to apply what you have learned by reading and analyzing a real Sumerian royal inscription of Gudea, ruler of Lagash, that was written down more than 4 000 years ago.Join me, and take your first steps into the world of Sumerian!

Overview

Section 1: Introduction

Lecture 1 History of Sumerian language

Lecture 2 Cuneiform

Lecture 3 Consonants and vowels

Section 2: Noun phrase

Lecture 4 Nouns

Lecture 5 Noun phrase

Lecture 6 Adjectives

Lecture 7 Possessive pronouns

Lecture 8 Plural

Lecture 9 Ergative and Absolutive

Lecture 10 Genitive

Lecture 11 Locative, Terminative, Ablative

Lecture 12 Dative, Directive, Comitative, Equative

Lecture 13 Copula

Section 3: Verbal chain

Lecture 14 Verbal chain

Lecture 15 Hamtu (Past)

Lecture 16 Maru (Present-Future)

Lecture 17 Ventive

Lecture 18 Locative (verbs)

Lecture 19 Terminative, Ablative, Comitative (verbs)

Lecture 20 Dative and Directive (verbs)

Lecture 21 Relative clauses

Lecture 22 Imperative

Lecture 23 Modality

Lecture 24 Negation and prohibition

Lecture 25 Personal and interrogative pronouns

Section 4: Reading practice

Lecture 26 Gudea’s inscription

This course is designed for anyone interested in the ancient world, historical linguistics, or the origins of writing. Whether you're a complete beginner or have some background in ancient languages, you'll find the material accessible and engaging.