Sumerian Language For Beginners
Published 5/2025
MP4 | Video: h264, 1920x1080 | Audio: AAC, 44.1 KHz
Language: English | Size: 447.38 MB | Duration: 1h 34m
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.
Screenshot
Sumerian Language For Beginners
