An Annotated Sumerian Dictionary

The first language to be written was Sumerian, and the cuneiform script was created for it. Until the end of the first millennium BCE, it was used as a scholarly written language. This dictionary is the first comprehensive English-language scholarly lexicon of Sumerian, covering all the nuances of meaning for terms found in historical inscriptions and literary, administrative, and lexical texts dating from 2500 BCE to the first century BCE. It is an essential reference for Sumerologists and Assyriologists and a practical help to students of ancient cultures.

Format: Hardback
Length: 1580 pages
Publication date: 07 March 2023
Publisher: Pennsylvania State University Press

Sumerian, the first language to be put into writing around 3200-3100 BCE, holds a significant place in the history of language. It is the language for which the cuneiform script was originally developed. Despite being supplanted by Akkadian as the primary spoken language in ancient Mesopotamia, Sumerian continued to be used as a scholarly written language until the end of the first millennium BCE. This remarkable linguistic legacy is now celebrated in the publication of the first comprehensive English-language scholarly lexicon of Sumerian.

This dictionary, spanning a period from approximately 2500 BCE to the first century BCE, encompasses a vast array of meanings for Sumerian terms found in historical inscriptions, literary, administrative, and lexical texts. The entries are meticulously organized by transcription, accompanied by transliteration, translation, and a discussion of the term's treatment in other publications. Each main entry presents all the parts of speech and compound forms for the Sumerian term, allowing for a comprehensive understanding of its linguistic structure. Additionally, the dictionary includes a comprehensive list of all possible Akkadian equivalents and variant syllabic renderings for lexical attestations of a word. A meaningful sample of occurrences is provided for literary and economic passages, enriching the reader's understanding of the word's usage in different contexts.

To enhance clarity and accessibility, entries of homonyms with different orthographies and unrelated words with the same orthography are grouped together, each assigned a unique identifier. Furthermore, the dictionary treats the phoneme /dr/ as a separate consonant, contributing to a more accurate representation of the Sumerian language.

Written by one of the foremost scholars in the field, An Annotated Sumerian Dictionary is an essential reference for Sumerologists and Assyriologists, as well as students of ancient cultures. It provides a comprehensive and detailed exploration of the Sumerian language, offering valuable insights into the rich cultural and historical heritage of Mesopotamia. This dictionary is a testament to the enduring power of language and the enduring legacy of Sumerian civilization.

Weight: 2264g
Dimension: 188 x 263 x 64 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781646021963