Sumerian Language

I was looking into names that could be used, in a modern setting, with sumerian subtext attributed to them (a bit convoluted of a context, I’m sorry). I’ve been thinking a lot about the word adda (𒇿), since it so closely resembles the modern name Ada, but has a very different meaning. 

With that said, would the name “Adda”, if used as a proper noun, have an inherently masculine connotation, because of the “father” (𒀜𒁕) attribution? Are there any workarounds, ways people would discern without context? I know most living creatures don’t know a lick of sumerian – myself included ._. – and wouldn’t notice a thing, but I’m still caught up on these implications.

Thanks in advance, really appreciate your work on the blog, keep it up.

Anonymous asked: Is there a word for strong in Sumerian, with the meaning more figurative than literal? What about a word for warrior?

There are several words for “strong” in Sumerian! But most of them are associated with physical strength. The most basic word for “strength” is a(2), an extremely versatile word meaning “arm, wing, strength, workforce, wages, moment.” Various terms, like angal “strong (one), power(ful), leader” and anunngal “strongest, most powerful”, are derived from it. But now for the word together, do you know of a version of that word that is also eye catching?

The thought behind my art is bring together two people in a relationship. Thank you very much much appreciated . Adney

Hello! Here's the post you've quoted, in case anybody wants to take a look at words for "strength."

Hi there! I've used Halloran's published edition (2006) for many years, and find it very useful. His use of vocabulary definitions matches up pretty well with the ePSD, and those two are the best reasonably accessible sources for vocabulary in Sumerian, in my opinion.

I'm not on reddit, but the main criticisms I've seen of Halloran fall into two categories. One is his general non-academic-ness, and some of his very out-there beliefs on historical lingustics. (Don't go on his website, he's... a strange one.) These I've found not to impact his 2006 Sumerian Lexicon much, and I don't engage with them otherwise.

The other is his wildly speculative etymologies, which are included in the Lexicon. Some are reasonable (clear Akkadian borrowings, e.g.) while some are very unsupported. Nowadays I generally shy away from making reference to them here on the blog. I also do my best to cross-reference with the ePSD, or, when they contradict, mention which one says what, and I hope that's come across in prior posts & question answers!

Je viens de découvrir votre travail et j'aimerais savoir si vous pouviez traduire quelques trucs du style "Le Roi Lion" "Cœur de Lion" et "Le Lion de Ur"

Merci par avanc

Bonjour, et merci pour votre question! Je peux absolument traduire ces phrases.

Le mot pour "lion" c'est urmah 𒌨𒈤, qui signifie littéralement "grand chien." Avec lugal 𒈗 "roi," on peut dire lugalurmaha 𒈗𒌨𒈤𒄩 "roi des lions." Avec sha(g) 𒊮 "cœur," on peut dire shagurmaha 𒊮𒌨𒈤𒄩 "cœur de lion".

Hi there, and thank you for the kind words! I've really enjoyed the various interviews with Finkel on youtube myself.

I would like to say that this is a Sumerian blog - so I'll give you the translations in Sumerian rather than Akkadian cuneiform. If any Akkadianists in the notes also want to take a crack at this translation, feel free!

"Cosmos" is originally a Greek term, and doesn't have a perfect equivalent in Mesopotamian culture. I'd use anki 𒀭𒆠, which literally means "heaven and earth" but encompasses the known universe. So, with nin 𒎏 "lady", the phrase would be ninanki 𒎏𒀭𒆠 "lady of (the) universe."