The Top 10 Reasons to Learn the Akkadian Language

Here are my top 10 reasons why one should study the Akkadian language.

Akkadian is an ancient Semitic language that was spoken in ancient Mesopotamia and the Near East more broadly. Dr. Michael Wingert teaches Akkadian at Fuller Theological Seminary and Agora University. Study Akkadian!

#akkadian #top10 #polyglot

[Amadeu.Macedo]

Thank you so much for this outstanding video, given that l fell in love with the Ancient Mesopotamian civilizations, especially Assyria, over a decade ago and have been fascinated with both the cuneiform script and the Akkadian vernacular ever since I saw a Sumerian and Akkadian clay tablets for the first time. If I were much younger or if I could afford it, I would do anything to have the opportunity to learn this magnificent, archaic language (and its complex script). The academic world urgently requires more scholars specialized in Akkadian, Sumerian, Hittite, Hurian, and Old Persian, so that we may finally uncover huge portions of our Near Eastern ancestors' legacy.
While I agree that Akkadian is an exceedingly difficult language (especially because of so many logograms and other special markers), let's not forget that a British bank employee - George Smith - self-taught Akkadian during the 1850s (and passed away when he was about 37 or 38 years old...)
P.S. If one watches the scary movie titled "The 4th Kind, " he/she will notice, at the very end, recordings (allegedly made by aliens) in Sumerian... (calling themselves "gods" that should be worshiped - again)

[shalnark]

Can you make a video about the scientific Syriac manusscripts and where to find them.

[Lepumpkino]

As for your number 10. I have noticed thay Iraqi arabic contains many Akkadian gramatical structures,

Most notably is the "lu" which in iraqi arabic means both (either, or) this structure is used extensively in akkadian and doesn't seem to exist in other arabic dialects so it's safe to assume this is probably akkadian influence on modern Iraqi arabic.

[humanalltoohuman]

That's quite an interesting list. Thanks Professor Wingert!

[AxelMegaton]

Solid work. Barukh KhaShem Alahan Khaya Ekhad Alaha d'Ashuraye o Hodaye!

[KirraNichols]

Hi how are you? Is there a way I can find out how to write Lazuli in Akkadian?

[gristlevonraben]

I wanted to learn it, but finding tablet images to translate are very difficult. And I'm not sure the current dictionaries are honest.

[bazah]

I’m an Iraqi Arab and I really want to learn Akkadian I wish our schools did teach us but unfortunately they didn’t

[girmaykalayu]

Just wondering if there is any connection between Akkadian and Ge'ez of Axum?

[CobaltHammer-ybhu]

Is it worth learning it though? Is there really that much untranslated materials out there?

[pastorbrianediger]

I'm going to start learning Akkadian next semester as part of my Master's of Theology degree.

[katathoombs]

I approve of the actual, _real_ reason.


To me the most difficult part of Akkadian, apart from the cuneiform, is syntax. At least in the administrative texts and pre-Late-Babylonian receipts and such.

I should spend more time in grammars and texts, trying to crack the ancient Semitic syntax. I am prone to winging it, "this sounds about right, what does ORACC say about it".

[royalcreations]

LOL I didn't expect that ending. 💫👽💫

[crazyspider]

how hard would you say learning akkadian for a native hebrew speaker would be?

[gargamel]

Akkadian is the only Semitic language that doesn't sound like suffocating in gravel.

[iberius]

Reason 10 is reason enough to learn it. It really is impressive.
What's your take on Akkadian apparently having the uvular/ʁ/ phoneme rather than the tapped or trilled R?

[jairajgowdajairajgowda]

Sumerian words that are still in use in Kannada

Sumerians (5500 BCE - 1800 BCE) & Akkadians (2400 BCE ) called the people of Indus/Harrapan (3300 BCE - 1300 BCE) as Meluhha, MeluKhkha or MeluhhaKi.
The word MeluKhkha literally means people of
high lands and is just as same as KarNata

Mele = Higher = Kar
Akha/Ki = Country = Nata

Malla in Kannada also means Great.
Many Kannada kings had title with Malla like: JagadekaMalla, TribhuvanaMalla (Vikramaditya), Trailokyamalla/Ahavamalla (Someshwara)

KarNata Kingdom who ruled Nepal, Bihar, UP called themselves as MallaVamshi (Great Clan) of KarNata.
Even today in Karnataka names like MallAmma, MallAnna, Mallesha are very common.

Many historians, Linguists, Philologists now claim that the Root of Dravidian/Kannada language is connected with Sumero-Dravidian languages.

One of the most remarkable things about Kannada is, Sumerian words are not only found in earlier Kannada (haLeGannada, NaduGannada) but are still in use even in today's Kannada (HosaGannada).

Sumerians/Akkadians both record trades with Indus/Harrappan people with items names having names of Kannada origin or connected with Kannada. Like,
Agar[a/u] : Fragrance Wood Oil - SandleWood
eLLu : Sesame - eLLu
Bison/Buffalos Horns - KA is still famous for KadEmme (Wild Buffallo/Bisons)

Some Sumerian words that are still in use in Kannada
Ri - Respectable / elderly person
(Ree - to elders, verbs suffixed with ree [Verb+Ree] - for elderly person: Madri [Please do], keLri [Please listen])
Bi-ra - Mix (Kannada - Bera as in Berasu)
Su - do (Madisu, keLisu, torisu)
Karu - Black - Kari
Nir - Water - Nir

Ag - To become (Aagu - become)
Ur - Village ( Ur/Uru in Kananda)
Sig - Sun Burnt tiles (Sigadi - Fireplace, from Seke - Heat from sun, similar to Shaki/Saki - Sultry due to sun)
Bir - Break (Biruku - Break)

Sumerian Counting
One - Ur/Uru - Or/Ondu
Two - Ir - Iru/Eradu
Three - Mu - Mu/Muru
Four - Na - Nalk[u]
Five - A/ia - ay/Ayd[u]
Six - as - Aar[u]
Ten - Ha - Hatthu

With connection of Kannada with Sumerian, Akkadian, Indus civilization there is no doubt that Kannada is one of the longest living languages.

Needless to say advent of Sanskrit/Prakrit have done tremendous erosion of culture & history to Kannada in past.

Credits:
Research by A. Sathasivam M.A., Ph.D. on Dravidian and Sumerian Languages.

Other Credits
twitter.com/anilkmr_m/stat…

twitter.com/anilkmr_m/stat…

@nanminiradio @karnatabala @CMofKarnataka @VinaySodad @sndptw @imanjuvs @Naagashree @Amara_Bengaluru @blhars @nimmakarthick @PLEKarnataka @sanrnsam7 @_adikadhunaga_ @rajanna_rupesh @BelagaviKA @AlurDivya @Kannadastar123 @sudhguruspeaks
@gnan007 @umesh_anush @malnadkoos @Rameshgowda_c @KanthaRocky @nesarabettaliya
@ajavgal @KNayakas @Chandra_hb77
@AdarshaUm @ShyamSPrasad @teekappa24 @Kannada_Culture @BelagaviKA @NammaKalyana
@LakshmeeshaCS

#Kannada
#KKKPower
#KannadaIndus
#KannadaSumerian
#AntiquityOfKannada

[magedayad]

Why should we learn Akkadian? I think It's a challenge worth taking it

[RobespierreThePoof]

Fairly sure there's one reason to learn Akkadian. Unless you also count "curiosity."

[jsphfalcon]

it makes me want to write cliche in clay tablets and drop it all over the world. Remember me, God... Don't forget me. Have mercy on me.