Online Dictionary Helps Unravel Sumerian Language

Daily Star ^ | 12-11-2003 | Kyle Cassidy

[stanz]

Fascinating.

[RightWhale]

No doubt about it. Linguists are taking to the Internet like it was developed specifically for them. Between image capability and hyperlinking, a Gold Age of linguistics is upon us.

[zeugma]

Excellent! I've always wanted to read the exploits of Gilgamesh in it's origional Sumerian.

[Oatka]

Great news.

I had always hoped that some mechanism along the lines of optical scanning-to-text could be devised to read these tablets instead of having scholars painstakingly transcribe each stroke. There would still have to be human intervention, but I'll bet the work would be speeded up in light-year terms.

[Map Kernow]

Thanks for the article.

Also, I don't want to tell you how to do your FReepin', but did you ever think of starting a "Linguistics Ping List"?

[blam]

We have an archaeology/anthropology ping list here:

Gods, Graves, Glyphs Maintained by 'farmfriend.'

[farmfriend]

Gods, Graves, Glyphs
List for articles regarding early civilizations , life of all forms, - dinosaurs - etc.

Let me know if you wish to be added or removed from this ping list.

[Freedom2specul8]

Gilgamesh... That was the hardest book to understand..my instructor just loved it.

[Koblenz]

speeded up in light-year terms.

Light years measure distance, not time.

[LibWhacker]

Here it is, I think: The Pennsylvania Sumerian Dictionary. It's not immediately apparent to me how to use it, though. At least it doesn't seem to be working correctly for me at the moment. Guess I've gotta rtfm! :-(

[zeugma]

I used to have a 'pocket penguin' copy of Gilgamesh that was extremely well written. It's been years though, and I'm not sure how faithful the translation was. I wish I still had it around though, as my kids like the new translation of Beowolf I read to them on a trip a year or so ago.I think the translater's name was Heaney or something like that.

[Freedom2specul8]

Some teachers are just terrible. I didn't even realize there could have been an error in translation let alone other versions. So I did a look, and the author you mentioned popped up. I love reading so much, but if the book is hard to follow, I lose interest.

I hadn't heard of Bewolf before..it looks really good. I'm going out today to see if I can find a copy.

http://www.constantreader.com/discussions/beowolf.htm

Thanks!

[Mr.Atos]

I'm waiting for the Crichton version... I think Gilgi meets Buliwif in that one.

I do miss archaeology at times. Then I remember how much paperwork there was. But, Man's story is never a boring one... nor his stories.

[Mr.Atos]

Follow it up with Crichton's, Eater's of the Dead. He adds a very provocative perspective of his own to the original legend.

Atos

[zeugma]

Add me to it if you would, friend.

[farmfriend]

Consider yourself added. If you ever change your mind, or I get you on the wrong list, just let me know.

[Oatka]

. . . speeded up in light-year terms.

Light years measure distance, not time.

Yeah, I know, but it was the only thing that occurred to me at time of posting to indicate the impact this digitizing would make. Hope my confession puts you at ease.

[Freedom2specul8]

Thank you for the info. :)

[carpio]

BTTT