Huehnergard J. A Grammar of Akkadian (Harvard Semitic Studies). -
Scholars Press, 1997. - 647 p.
+ Keys
ISBN-10: 0788503189
ISBN-13: 978-0788503184
John Huehnergard's 'Grammar of Akkadian' is an excellent book for leaing a difficult ancient language. Akkadian is not a language most schools (even most seminaries) offer as part of the curriculum; hence, many people who lea this language do so via self-study -- a key to the exercises is crucial in this event, and this is available as a separate volume. Huehnergard's Grammar is divided into 38 lessons (with sub-parts), with exercises for translation.
Akkadian is a major language of the ancient world, the earliest attested language among the Semitic languages. However, all of the Semitic languages present in the mode world (Hebrew, Arabic, Aramaic, etc. ) derive from the Weste Semitic branch; only Akkadian and Eblaite were major Easte Semitic branches, both now extinct. The demise of Akkadian is somewhat surprising, given that it was the language of Empire for a very long time -- Akkadian most likely originated in Akkad, capital of Sargon's empire in 2300 BCE in the Fertile Crescent; it remained a primary language for over a thousand years in the region, and was continued as a literary language until the first century CE. As is natural with any long-standing and wide-spread language, there are dialects of Akkadian (think of the progress of English from Beowulf through Chaucer and Shakespeare to the present). Huehnergard's text addressses this issues, concentrating on the Old Babylonian dialect, but giving information of the Assyrian dialect. Huehnergard's introduction discusses the different dialects, as well as Akkadian's relationship to the older but linguistically unrelated language of Sumerian, with which it coexisted for many centuries.
Huehnergard recognises that self-study is a distinct possibility, so the 38 lessons are prepared in such as way that an instructor's assistance is beneficial and preferable, but not strictly necessary. In each of the lessons, there are sub-topics such that two or three grammar points are covered. Beginning at chapter 9, actual cuneiform script is introduced alongside the transliterations; ten or so cuneiform signs are presented with each subsequent lesson. Each lesson also presents new vocabulary and vocabulary drills to reinforce earlier words.
Huehnergard's method asks students to lea to compose in Akkadian in addition to reading -- while most of those using this text to lea will be doing so for reading purposes only, Huehnergard feels that actually writing in the language helps reinforce the language skills. About a third of the way through the text, Huehnergard introduces actual Akkadian texts for translation, which eventually include portions of Hammurabi's code, religious texts and royal inscriptions. Huehnergard acknowledges that he has provided an 'overabundance' of exercises, which is useful for instructors to select among different texts, and for self-leaers to get extra practice.
After lesson 38, there are additional readings,taken from portions of Gilgamesh; a glossary of Akkadian words, logograms, determinatives; an English-Akkadian word list; cuneiform signs lists; and several appendices. Huehnergard's introduction provides bibliographic listings of dictionaries, alteative grammars, and joual articles that is quite extensive.
This is a great text for leaing this ancient and complex language. Whether your interest is history, religion, literature, or languages, this book is a good guide for elementary mastery of this important language.
+ Keys
ISBN-10: 0788503189
ISBN-13: 978-0788503184
John Huehnergard's 'Grammar of Akkadian' is an excellent book for leaing a difficult ancient language. Akkadian is not a language most schools (even most seminaries) offer as part of the curriculum; hence, many people who lea this language do so via self-study -- a key to the exercises is crucial in this event, and this is available as a separate volume. Huehnergard's Grammar is divided into 38 lessons (with sub-parts), with exercises for translation.
Akkadian is a major language of the ancient world, the earliest attested language among the Semitic languages. However, all of the Semitic languages present in the mode world (Hebrew, Arabic, Aramaic, etc. ) derive from the Weste Semitic branch; only Akkadian and Eblaite were major Easte Semitic branches, both now extinct. The demise of Akkadian is somewhat surprising, given that it was the language of Empire for a very long time -- Akkadian most likely originated in Akkad, capital of Sargon's empire in 2300 BCE in the Fertile Crescent; it remained a primary language for over a thousand years in the region, and was continued as a literary language until the first century CE. As is natural with any long-standing and wide-spread language, there are dialects of Akkadian (think of the progress of English from Beowulf through Chaucer and Shakespeare to the present). Huehnergard's text addressses this issues, concentrating on the Old Babylonian dialect, but giving information of the Assyrian dialect. Huehnergard's introduction discusses the different dialects, as well as Akkadian's relationship to the older but linguistically unrelated language of Sumerian, with which it coexisted for many centuries.
Huehnergard recognises that self-study is a distinct possibility, so the 38 lessons are prepared in such as way that an instructor's assistance is beneficial and preferable, but not strictly necessary. In each of the lessons, there are sub-topics such that two or three grammar points are covered. Beginning at chapter 9, actual cuneiform script is introduced alongside the transliterations; ten or so cuneiform signs are presented with each subsequent lesson. Each lesson also presents new vocabulary and vocabulary drills to reinforce earlier words.
Huehnergard's method asks students to lea to compose in Akkadian in addition to reading -- while most of those using this text to lea will be doing so for reading purposes only, Huehnergard feels that actually writing in the language helps reinforce the language skills. About a third of the way through the text, Huehnergard introduces actual Akkadian texts for translation, which eventually include portions of Hammurabi's code, religious texts and royal inscriptions. Huehnergard acknowledges that he has provided an 'overabundance' of exercises, which is useful for instructors to select among different texts, and for self-leaers to get extra practice.
After lesson 38, there are additional readings,taken from portions of Gilgamesh; a glossary of Akkadian words, logograms, determinatives; an English-Akkadian word list; cuneiform signs lists; and several appendices. Huehnergard's introduction provides bibliographic listings of dictionaries, alteative grammars, and joual articles that is quite extensive.
This is a great text for leaing this ancient and complex language. Whether your interest is history, religion, literature, or languages, this book is a good guide for elementary mastery of this important language.