Sumerian language is an extinct language used ancient Mesopotamia. It is currently known as the first written language in the world and has a long history of use in the region, lasting until the 1st century BCE.
Here are some basic, beginner facts about the language:
1. Non-Semetic
The Sumerian language is a non-Semitic language and has no known close relatives. It is considered a language isolate, meaning it is not related to any other known language.
2. Written in Cueniform
The language is written in cuneiform script, which was created by pressing a reed stylus into clay tablets. This writing system was used throughout ancient Mesopotamia and allowed for the recording of a wide range of texts, including religious hymns, legal contracts, and epic tales.
3. Used for Sacred Text
The Sumerians believed in a pantheon of gods and goddesses, and religious texts written in Sumerian describe the actions and attributes of these deities.
4. Law and Order
The ancient language was also used in the administration of the state, as it was used to record laws and regulations, tax records, and treaties.
5. Replaced by Akkadian
Despite its long history of use, the Sumerian language began to decline in the late 3rd millennium BCE, when Akkadian, a Semitic language, became the dominant language in Mesopotamia. Over time, Sumerian was gradually replaced by Akkadian, and by the 1st century BCE, the language had become extinct.
6. Still Studied
Today, Sumerian is studied by linguists and historians, who are interested in the unique features of the language and its role in the development of written language.
