Monday, July 20, 2020

Into the Bronze Sorcery

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


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.

  1. Fire = Nemur
  2. Water = A
  3. Earth = Ki
  4. Wind = Imi/Im/Em
  5. Temperature = Kum (hot)/Ten (cold)
  6. Treason = Namlul (treachery)
  7. Velocity = Kash
  8. Clay = Imi/Im/Em
  9. Shadow = Ngissu
  10. Light = Zalag
  11. Nature = Ningnamtarra (fate of a thing) Shagina (ones true heart)
  12. Rock = Na
  13. Time = En
  14. Forgiveness = Shushungar
  15. Destruction = Kush
  16. Unity = Adach
  17. Dream = Mashngi
  18. Steps = Ngiridu
  19. Bone = Kak
  20. 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.

  1. Beer = Kash
  2. Truth = Ninggina
  3. Clean = Eshda
  4. Entry = Mu
  5. Confusion =  Dalhamun
  6. Beauty = Hili
  7. Spirit = Alad (life force)
  8. Fear = Nite
  9. Plant = U (general object)
  10. Evaluate = Shadi-/thing/-di
  11. Weapon = Udug
  12. Awe = Niguru
  13. Write = Dubsar
  14. Quarrel = Du
  15. Seal = Kish
  16. Smell = hab (foul)/ir (fragrant)
  17. See = Igisi
  18. Pleasure = Ul
  19. Alone = Ash
  20. Hair = Sig



1 comment:

  1. Sumerian is such a beautiful and evocative language, thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete