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| The '''Sumerian language''' of ancient ] became extinct and was forgotten until the ]. It |
The '''Sumerian language''' of ancient ] became extinct and was forgotten until the ]. It does not have any known affinities | ||
| to other ]s. This distinguishes it from other languages of the area such as ], ] |
to other ]s. This distinguishes it from other languages of the area such as ], ], which also comprises ] and ], or Aramaic, which are Semitic languages. The aforementioned languages have no familial connection with the ancient ]. | ||
| Sumerian was the first language to be written with ], which | Sumerian was the first language to be written with a ] or "wedged-shaped" script, which was later also used for Akkadian. This script was even adapted to Indo-European languages like Hittite (which also had a hieroglyphic script, as did the Egyptians and the Mayans) and Old Persian. | ||
| was later also used for Akkadian and Assyrian. | |||
Revision as of 12:29, 22 September 2002
The Sumerian language of ancient Sumer became extinct and was forgotten until the 19th century. It does not have any known affinities to other languages. This distinguishes it from other languages of the area such as Hebrew, Akkadian, which also comprises Babylonian and Assyrian, or Aramaic, which are Semitic languages. The aforementioned languages have no familial connection with the ancient Egyptian language.
Sumerian was the first language to be written with a cuneiform or "wedged-shaped" script, which was later also used for Akkadian. This script was even adapted to Indo-European languages like Hittite (which also had a hieroglyphic script, as did the Egyptians and the Mayans) and Old Persian.