So Who Wants to Learn Akkadian?

[Kazmyr]

Dictionary of the Oldest Written Language–It Took 90 Years to Complete, and It’s Now Free Online

It took 90 years to complete. But, in 2011, scholars at the University of Chicago finally published a 21-volume dictionary of Akkadian, the language used in ancient Mesopotamia. Unspoken for 2,000 years, Akkadian was preserved on clay tablets and in stone inscriptions until scholars deciphered it during the last two centuries.

In the past, we've published audio that lets you hear the reconstructed sounds of Akkadian (Hear The Epic of Gilgamesh Read in the Original Akkadian and Enjoy the Sounds of Mesopotamia). Now, should you wish, you can download download PDFs of U. Chicago's Akkadian dictionary for free. All 21 volumes would cost well over $1,000 if purchased in hard copy. But the PDFs, they won't run you a dime.

[Penner]

Dictionary of the Oldest Written Language–It Took 90 Years to Complete, and It’s Now Free Online

It took 90 years to complete. But, in 2011, scholars at the University of Chicago finally published a 21-volume dictionary of Akkadian, the language used in ancient Mesopotamia. Unspoken for 2,000 years, Akkadian was preserved on clay tablets and in stone inscriptions until scholars deciphered it during the last two centuries.

In the past, we've published audio that lets you hear the reconstructed sounds of Akkadian (Hear The Epic of Gilgamesh Read in the Original Akkadian and Enjoy the Sounds of Mesopotamia). Now, should you wish, you can download download PDFs of U. Chicago's Akkadian dictionary for free. All 21 volumes would cost well over $1,000 if purchased in hard copy. But the PDFs, they won't run you a dime.

Does it teach you how to write and read in Cuneiform?

[Speaker to Animals]

Dictionary of the Oldest Written Language–It Took 90 Years to Complete, and It’s Now Free Online

It took 90 years to complete. But, in 2011, scholars at the University of Chicago finally published a 21-volume dictionary of Akkadian, the language used in ancient Mesopotamia. Unspoken for 2,000 years, Akkadian was preserved on clay tablets and in stone inscriptions until scholars deciphered it during the last two centuries.

In the past, we've published audio that lets you hear the reconstructed sounds of Akkadian (Hear The Epic of Gilgamesh Read in the Original Akkadian and Enjoy the Sounds of Mesopotamia). Now, should you wish, you can download download PDFs of U. Chicago's Akkadian dictionary for free. All 21 volumes would cost well over $1,000 if purchased in hard copy. But the PDFs, they won't run you a dime.

Does it teach you how to write and read in Cuneiform?

No. It uses transliteration. It's also just a dictionary. It doesn't teach grammar. I suspect the grammar and syntax is of that language is fucking nuts, being a semitic language and all.

[Kazmyr]

Yeah, my thread title was a bit misleading. However, it did link to this:

Hear The Epic of Gilgamesh Read in the Original Akkadian and Enjoy the Sounds of Mesopotamia

Which actually lets you get a flavor for the language in use. The professor speaking has learned all the grammar (I'm sure, like you said, is fucking nuts) and it sounds like he's single-handedly trying to keep the language alive.

[heydaralon]

I already learned Akkadian. It was so easy. They had me as a consultant on the Scorpion King movie.

[Ex-California]

How could this guy possibly know the correct accent, inflection, etc?

There is a lot of variation between text and speech. For example, an Irish person and a Cajun from the LA Bayous could read the same English text and it will be almost not understandable between two people.

[Speaker to Animals]

How could this guy possibly know the correct accent, inflection, etc?

There is a lot of variation between text and speech. For example, an Irish person and a Cajun from the LA Bayous could read the same English text and it will be almost not understandable between two people.

You can work some of it out if you have enough poetry. You need enough samples from the same period since we tend to shift phonemes over time (like the great vowel shift in English).

[heydaralon]

The rock killed it in this role. The scorpion king was from Akkad, so it was largely historically accurate. The epic of Gilgamesh even has a character who started out as a professional wrestler and went into acting so the film is accurate in that way as well. If course at the time, they didnt have movies just plays, but you folks get the picture. If you have any questions about Akkadian pronounciation or the Scorpion King movie feel free to send me a pm.

[Penner]