The Sumerian Language: An Introduction to Its History and Grammatical Structure (Mesopotamia: Copenhagen Studies in Assyriology, 10) (Multilingual Edition) [Paperback]

Marie-Louise Thomsen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 2001 | ISBN-10: 8750036548 | ISBN-13: 978-8750036548 | Edition: 3

This volume gives an extensive description of Sumerian grammar based on texts dating from the middle of the third millennium to the end of the Old Babylonian period (about 1600 B.C.). Earlier theories, especially concerning the verbal system, the most difficult chapter of Sumerian grammar, are discussed. Furthermore, this book also deals with the history of the Sumerian language and its use in literary and religious texts in the Old Babylonian period when it was already a dead language. This new edition contains a supplementary bibliography.

Product Details

• Paperback: 376 pages
• Publisher: Akademisk Forlag; 3 edition (December 2001)
• Language: Multilingual
• ISBN-10: 8750036548
• ISBN-13: 978-8750036548
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,982,482 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Reference grammar, but very informative, December 27, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Sumerian Language: An Introduction to Its History and Grammatical Structure (Mesopotamia: Copenhagen Studies in Assyriology, 10) (Multilingual Edition) (Paperback)

For anyone interested in learning Sumerian, Hayes' grammar is probably a better first introduction. But once you've gotten a little further into the language, Thomsen's book begins to shine.

Primarily a reference grammar, it still reads remarkably easily, and all points are made clearly. Many of the grammatical points are illustrated nicely by examples from Sumerian of all periods. The logical flow of the book also feels quite natural.

Perhaps the only disappointing feature of this book is the complete lack of discussion of the writing system, except where the orthography directly impacts the interpretation of the grammar.

Allowing for that, you will not learn how to read a Sumerian tablet from this book alone, but you will undoubtedly learn how to best understand it.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hard To Find BUT Excellent, October 16, 2007

By 

Harry A. Smith (Tallahassee, Fl) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Sumerian Language: An Introduction to Its History and Grammatical Structure (Mesopotamia: Copenhagen Studies in Assyriology, 10) (Multilingual Edition) (Paperback)

This is virtually impossible to find - I have spent 6 months trying to locate a copy for purchase with no luck. I have a copy of the first edition from our local university library.

This is an excellent reference grammar of Sumerian, well laid out with copious examples of all grammatical discussions. It is NOT a book for beginners, however. Hayes' Manual is best for that. However for the more advanced student it is almost indispensable. Dietz Otto Edzard's Sumerian Grammar is stiill in print and more up to date but it is a bit more "scattered" in format and I found not as useful.

It is a shame that this book is no longer in print and there doesn't seem to be any plans to reissue it. This is prime candidate for an inexpensive Dover edition - heh?

If you can find ANY edition of this book and are serious about Sumerian, snatch it up at any reasonable cost. I am still in the market if anyone has a copy they wish to part with!

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good, solid reference, October 20, 2008

By 

R. Steres - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Sumerian Language: An Introduction to Its History and Grammatical Structure (Mesopotamia: Copenhagen Studies in Assyriology, 10) (Multilingual Edition) (Paperback)

This book is a good, easy-to-parse reference for Sumerian grammar. It's not one-hundred percent up-to-date on theory, but it's a great reference to have. The layout makes things very easy to find. The book is also full of examples of grammatical forms and constructions. It is NOT a textbook, however.