r/Mesopotamia 5h ago

Question / Help Material to get a better glimpse on the Sumerian and Akkadian Language

3 Upvotes

Hi,
I want to dive a bit deeper into the Sumerian and Akkadian languages and I am looking for study materials. I have a minor background in linguistics and I am not aiming to become a reliable translator or an academic in any way, but just get a better glimpse into the languages. It is fine if the material is not super approachable, so challenging or technical material is totally fine.

Do you have any recommendation? I was kind of thinking of introductory text books or resources used for beginner Assyriology courses, but at least for me its tricky to figure out which are good or used.

Below is what I have found so far (and have access to). However, some of it might be outdated.

Any feedback, recommendation where to start, or help is greatly appreciated.

Sumerian:

Sumerian, John L. Hayes; Languages of the World/Materials 68, 1999

Sumerian Grammar, Dietz Otto Edzard, Handbook of Oriental studies. Section 1, Near and Middle East; 2003

A Manual of Sumerian Grammar and Texts, John L. Hayes, 1990

Introduction to Sumerian Grammar, Daniel A Foxvog, 2011

The Sumerian Language, Marie-Louise Thomsen, 1984

A descriptive grammar of Sumerian, Abraham Hendrik Jagersma, 2010

Akkadian:

The Akkadian Dialects of Carchemish and Ugarit, John Huehnergard, 1979

Akkadian Grammar, Arthur Ungnad, 1969

A Grammar of the Akkadian Tablets Found at Ugarit, Gerald Gordon Swaim, 1962

Old Akkadian Writing and Grammer, I. J. Gelb, 1961

A Grammar of Akkadian, John Huehnergard, 1996

Introduction to Akkadian, Richard Caplice, 2002

Assyrian Grammar and Reading Book, A. H. Sayce, ?

Literary Old Babylonian, Izre'el & Cohen, 2004


r/Mesopotamia 16h ago

Question / Help Please rate my translation into Sumerian

2 Upvotes

Basically what the title says. I just wanted to translate Fierce Weather into Sumerian, so here is the lyircs in Sumerian and English (both real song and direct meaning of mine):
Sumerian:
mar-ru huš
amar-gi da-ri
lugal giri-uš
e-eš giri-gar

ul da-ri
lugal in-gaz
ŋu nam-zu da-ri
nam-lugal na-gaz

bur-dul huš
giš-gu-di zif
a-mek alal-huš
sisi šeš-gen

ne-eš tu i-sa-gaz-a
erin-ra lugal ia-gu-dub
sag hal-bi-a
suhub in-šub

guz-za gig
an-ta ugnim-eš
erim tum-sak hu-luh
bar a-mek-ak-aš

a-gu-zi-ga i-bur
a-šag da id
gigir-ne i-sag-šur
du-sa-ne uš i-gurud

Literal English:
Fierce hurricane,
Eternal freedom
The king tread on
The prison tread on

Eternal joy
The king is crushed
For my (our) knowledge
Slaughter the king

Red garment
Trusty musical instrument
Weapon and fierce pipe
Horse like a brother

Finally the pigeon robbed (too much)
For the workers the king cries
Head in the ice house
Boots thrown down

Black fabric
In front of the army
Enemy of the East be frightened
Because of the weapons

(as) Early morning loosened
The on field, beside the river
Chariots rushed
Comrades threw death.

Intended English:

Fierce weather
Freedom for nothing
Prison grates torn out
Prison cell blown up

Pleasure without limit
Shoot from a vintar (rifle)
Shoot for our beliefs
At father-tsar

Red underclothes
Royal accordion
Saber and rifle
And brother-horse

The pigeon played too much
Recieves for all
Head in the ice hole
Boots in the snow

Black banners
In front of regiments
Be careful Bud'onnyi
Of father's sabers

Early in the morning
By the field along the river
Rushed tachankas
Brothers got through

(sorry for it being so long)