Akkadian Nouns

A beginners overview of nominal construction in Akkadian, including the basic paradigm, an explanation of the case system and irregularities from sound changes to weak roots and more..
For my 'Introduction to Akkadian' see: • Introduction to Akkadian
Recommended Reading:
- J. Huehnergard, A Grammar of Akkadian
- R. Caplice: An Introduction to Akkadian
- M. Worthington: Complete Babylonian
- J. Black, A. George and N. Postgate: A Concise Dictionary of Akkadian
Thank you for watching & supporting my work!

[@Miggy19779]

At 4:05, wouldn't the accusative example be 'him, her, it' instead of he, she, it? And pronoun for possession would be 'mine, yours, his, hers'

[@brianroots563]

Thank you for doing this! I think these videos are absolutely fantastic. I've spent decades studying ancient Indo-European languages like Greek, Latin, and Sanskrit - mostly Sanskrit for the last few years now that I'm retired and have the time. But I watched some videos by Irving Finkel recently that got me interested in *maybe* giving Akkadian a try as well at some point. Semitic languages are pretty different from Indo-European, though, so it's nice to have the kind of careful and thorough explanation you are providing here just in case I ever find the time and the nerve to try studying Akkadian in earnest. I hope you will do a few more videos like these covering some of the other major features of Akkadian so that someone like me with no background in Hebrew or Arabic could get a feel for what Akkadian is really like. Keep up the good work indeed!

[@ancientlanguagesaredeaduse2792]

Thank you for your encouragement Brian, I’m so glad that this helped and hopefully inspired you to keep learning! Semitic grammar is quite different from the Latin and Sanskrit but if you’re used to getting to grips with complicated grammars, Akkadian won’t be too much of a push! There are lots of great tools to help you learn the signs (there’s around 400 of them), such as Memrise. If you’re looking for an anthology of Akkadian texts to get started, Foster’s Before the Muses is excellent, it covers all categories from personal letters and prayers to mythology. You’ll get a real sense of their day to day lives, perception of the world and sense of humour. The wealth of the texts are what kept me inspired while learning the grammar as the personal contact you get with Mesopotamian people and their history is priceless!

[@Miggy19779]

I concur, this is amazing, love the channel and I hope more content comes out, to educate ignoramuses like me lol! Ave atque vale!

[@shekharaakula6233]

Amazing lesson! I absolutely love ancient languages.

[@gualmicol6845]

Linguistics is such a complicated topic and that's one more reason to appreciate a clean style of exposition. I have some interest in comparative linguistics and I very much appreciated this short lesson. It was helpful and informative.

[@ancientlanguagesaredeaduse2792]

That’s great to hear! Learning an ancient language can become overwhelming so the goal is to make learning as clear and accessible as possible. I’m glad you found the lesson helpful!

[@davidbarber3821]

Will u make an introduction video on verbs?

[@andreasshun7259]

Super interesting! Thank you for your hard work!

[@ancientlanguagesaredeaduse2792]

Thanks Andreas! Good luck with your studies!

[@PoleToPoleTravel]

Fantastic resource. Took your recommendations for books from the last video and I'm well on my way. Any recommendations for podcasts (language, religion or history dealing with Mesopotamia)?

[@moldovankm]

Thank you... good lesson

[@pauleugenio5914]

These videos are so helpful -- thank you! On a totally unrelated point, I dig how you match the video's thumbnail title and your dress color. I will probably steal this style if I do my own videos xD

[@ancientlanguagesaredeaduse2792]

Aha you’re more than welcome to steal that idea😂 That’s great, I’m glad they’re helping!

[@jounikauppinen7377]

Great lesson! Keep up the good work :)

[@ancientlanguagesaredeaduse2792]

Thank you Jouni, I’m glad you enjoyed it!

[@cliffordmarcus6683]

Thanks for this. Currently using Huehnergard (up to lesson 12), but this was a great repass with some good extra information. I notice, tho' you seem to be using what H calls Neo Assyrian cuneiform (that certainly seems easier to write) but he advises using "OB cursive". Do you have any pointers on best style to adopt?

[@ancientlanguagesaredeaduse2792]

That’s great going! Keep up the good work with Huehnergard! I tend to teach using the Neo Assyrian signs as these were the ones which I learned initially as a student and a lot of the cuneiform texts which I reach for in my examples make use these forms. However I would absolutely recommend compiling your own signs lists for every text which you visit. In that way you’ll be able to build up your own inventory of Old Babylonian, Middle and Neo- Assyrian signs for reference. Some of the differences are only slight but particularly with old Babylonian and Neo Assyrian forms, the changes can be significant, so it’s best to be aware of the whole spectrum. Writing them out will also help you to commit them to memory.

[@mohammedalwakeel1983]

Amazing

[@bashar1001]

Thank you, that's really useful. Just wondered whether the accusative case of pronouns (Al nasb) would be 'him, her, it? Please keep these videos coming! Shukran!

[@breee4093]

GODS BLESS YOU MA'AM

[@vusumzingceke6518]

Wow this is so interesting. This is not too different from Greek and Latin. I suspect it may not be all that difficult for me to learn. I must say that the alphabet looks weird and scary 🤣🤣🤣🤣. But I think I can learn it too.

[@saudayyash1462]

Thanks for an informative talk. To change a masculine noun to a feminine noun we add the feminine T suffix. Don’t see the rule is applicable when it comes to man/ woman or male/ female. In Akkadian the male/ female is zikaru/ sinnis. If sinnis means woman/ female what is the three consonant root. Hope the English word sin is not borrowed from Akkadian sinnis. It’s what the Biblical story of creation would suggest, among other interpretations.

[@ErikAdalbertvanNagel]

Hah, I was right. I saw an Akkadian language introduction video and she pronounced in the Š as a regular English S but Š pronounced as an SH sound. I don't know what I'm doing here like a random knowledge vacuum cleaner guy.

[@ethanpintar5454]

3:34 Wouldn't the English accusative pronouns be "him, her, me.." etc.?

[@UserUser-wh9jk]

I want to ask you, are these Assyrians the ancestors of the Akdians? The Assyrians spoke Akkadian, then the Assyrians switched to neo-Aramaic?

[@nimrod6227]

Where did you go ? 💔

[@dopo8333]

Are he/she/it in accusative case? I'd rather write "He found her", with "he" being the subject and "her" being the object.

[@ChrisPBacon-jl7oc]

Ur pretty

[@Osterochse]

soo... you are intelligent, good looking, good fashion sense, eloquent, nice, polite and well mannered? can I marry you?

[@ProudMesopotamianGirl]

Are you intelligent, good looking, good fashion sense, eloquent, nice, polite and well mannered to ask her for that though?

[@liamcavanagh5270]

Ok, pls don't get me wrong, and am doing this not because you are the most beautiful girl on this blue planet, I just wonder if you could consider marrying me. I could talk to you in this beautiful language till the death do us part.