To start off, Sumerian is literally only known from the writings they have left behind - we have no clue if there were some tonal variations, or if what we read even sounds like how the ancient Sumerians spoke. Since the written language developed from accounting records, I would make the solid guess that if we spoke what we read to them, it would be equivalent to a foreigner with an understanding of English vocabulary just saying random words at you until you got their meaning.
That being said we're doing it for a game, and are speaking collections of syllables with meanings which have probably not been spoken for over 2000 years, so have fun!
Also, quick disclaimer - this is supposed to be for fun, I have almost certainly mistranslated or messed up because well, it's an ancient language. Let me know in the comments!
 |
| The Wisdom of Shuruppak |
Sources
- Sumerian Lexicon by John A. Halloran
- Sumerian Lexicon Search - Check out the list of links at the bottom of this page
- Wikipedia Cuneiform
- The Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature - Such a beautiful set of Myths, Stories, Debates, Hymns, Wisdom. Several of my favourites are The Wisdom of Shuruppak (The best bit: "Do not dispense judgement while drinking beer"), The Sumerian Farmer's Almanac, and A Drinking Song.
- A weird Ancient Astronauts Amateur Sumerian Dictionary
It was surprisingly difficult to do "joiners" or "verbs" so as to elucidate meaning. I would recommend you just add what makes sense. Or use the resources to find the correct word, conjunction or verb.
Magical words are known as Achdugar - the spittle of sorcery (ch as ch in loch) or Namshub - Spell.
- Fire = Nemur
- Water = A
- Earth = Ki
- Wind = Imi/Im/Em
- Temperature = Kum (hot)/Ten (cold)
- Treason = Namlul (treachery)
- Velocity = Kash
- Clay = Imi/Im/Em
- Shadow = Ngissu
- Light = Zalag
- Nature = Ningnamtarra (fate of a thing) Shagina (ones true heart)
- Rock = Na
- Time = En
- Forgiveness = Shushungar
- Destruction = Kush
- Unity = Adach
- Dream = Mashngi
- Steps = Ngiridu
- Bone = Kak
- Sound = Gu
Now, the dictionary is huge and extremely detailed. Open it and choose whatever words you want. Here are 20 more for your game.
- Beer = Kash
- Truth = Ninggina
- Clean = Eshda
- Entry = Mu
- Confusion = Dalhamun
- Beauty = Hili
- Spirit = Alad (life force)
- Fear = Nite
- Plant = U (general object)
- Evaluate = Shadi-/thing/-di
- Weapon = Udug
- Awe = Niguru
- Write = Dubsar
- Quarrel = Du
- Seal = Kish
- Smell = hab (foul)/ir (fragrant)
- See = Igisi
- Pleasure = Ul
- Alone = Ash
- Hair = Sig
Sumerian is such a beautiful and evocative language, thanks for sharing!
ReplyDelete