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Assyriology | ||
Tags: Rare Languages | Dead Languages | ||
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 Language Learning Forum : Specific Languages |  | |
| Omenapuu00 Tetraglot Newbie United States Joined 5109 days ago 10 posts - 19 votes Speaks: English*, Spanish, Russian, Swedish | Message 1 of 9 30 November 2010 at 7:23am | IP Logged |
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Does anyone here have any interest in Assyriology? Has anyone here studied any of the languages associated with this time period? I am EXTREMELY interested in learning Sumerian, Akkadian, Hittite and possible some of the others from ca 2000 bce. I think there is something to be said about knowing the first attested written language (Sumerian...also its a language isolate), the first attested Semitic language (Akkadian), and the first Indo-European language (Hittite). I would simply find it amazing to have something so old and at one point of such prominence in the early civilization-defining cultures in your brain! Plus, learning cuneiform would be an amiable achievement, and fun! :)
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| Emiliana Diglot Groupie Germany Joined 5115 days ago 81 posts - 98 votes  Speaks: German*, English Studies: French, Arabic (classical) | Message 2 of 9 30 November 2010 at 10:06am | IP Logged |
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I know two persons who studied some akkadian at university. if you have any specific questions i could ask them!
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| Gusutafu Senior Member Sweden Joined 5522 days ago 655 posts - 1039 votes Speaks: Swedish* | Message 3 of 9 30 November 2010 at 11:06am | IP Logged |
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I always thought that hieroglyphs seemed much more interesting, they look more alive and the culture seems more flamboyant.
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| Genocyde Groupie United States Joined 5773 days ago 56 posts - 75 votes Speaks: English* Studies: German, Russian, Mandarin, Persian | Message 4 of 9 30 November 2010 at 2:45pm | IP Logged |
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I love ancient languages. My wishlist on Amazon is filled with books on reading hieroglyphics, cuneiform, a book on Assyrian grammar, all that fun stuff. :) Unfortunately I haven't actually gotten any study time down on them.
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| Omenapuu00 Tetraglot Newbie United States Joined 5109 days ago 10 posts - 19 votes Speaks: English*, Spanish, Russian, Swedish | Message 5 of 9 30 November 2010 at 6:09pm | IP Logged |
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Studying a language such as Akkadian and to a greater extent Sumerian is something that is almost only possible with the guidance of specialists/professors. Most of the professors of these languages are very passionate about what they do, and that is reflected on how well they teach the language and the amount of knowledge they possess. From the e-mail coorespondences I've had with several of the top Assyriologists from major universities it seems they are of the same opinion...and I think this field much more than other humanities is saturated with a very intelligent group of specialists.
I'm attracted to this field partly because you have to know so many languages to do successful research, including a reading proficiency at the technical level of English, German and French. Once you have those down, depending on which direction you decide to take, another half-dozen or so languages is of incalculable value. How fun would it be to use several living languages and several "dead" languages everyday towards the same goal? I Think it would be neat! By the way, there is a very interesting website (I have it bookmarked on another computer, I'll have to find the link later...) with audio of graduate students reciting Babylonian texts including Hamurabis laws and I believe the Descent of Inanna. DEFINITELY worth a listen, very cool to hear a 'recreation' of the spoken language. 1 person has voted this message useful | |
| stelingo Hexaglot Senior Member United Kingdom Joined 5833 days ago 722 posts - 1076 votes Speaks: English*, Spanish, Portuguese, French, German, Italian Studies: Russian, Czech, Polish, Greek, Mandarin | Message 6 of 9 30 November 2010 at 8:50pm | IP Logged |
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I notice TY have recently released a book on Babylonian. Looked a little dry when I had a quick flick through it, but may be useful.
Teach Yourself Babylonian 1 person has voted this message useful | |
| Omenapuu00 Tetraglot Newbie United States Joined 5109 days ago 10 posts - 19 votes Speaks: English*, Spanish, Russian, Swedish | Message 7 of 9 01 December 2010 at 12:21am | IP Logged |
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Ooh interesting find stelingo! I didn't realize there was a more modern book on such a language. One book I found for Sumerian, and after talking to some professors it is THE book for Sumerian, costs over a thousand dollars US. YIKES :)
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| Raye Diglot Newbie United States Joined 5155 days ago 37 posts - 51 votes Speaks: English*, Spanish Studies: DutchB1 | Message 8 of 9 01 December 2010 at 4:49am | IP Logged |
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I'm interested but unfortunately I don't have the time. (Or, apparently, the finances; a thousand dollars?!) I did cycle some Old English into my schedule recently, which isn't a stretch for my languages but is one way of paying respect to the dead, I guess.
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