Part II: Example Copies of Akkadian Dictionaries

Note: paragraphing is ignored by the forum software; grit your teeth and contine (smiling).

https://community.logos.com/forums/p/200878/1167074.aspx?ssi=0#1167074

This is just info again, adding 2 additional akkadian dictionary images, for future searchers needing to see examples.

3. 'An English to Akkadian Companion to the Assyrian Dictionaries'
https://www.amazon.com/English-Akkadian-Companion-Assyrian-Dictionaries/dp/1934309362

I couldn't upload an image before, so here it is below. In this specific example, I wanted to see how 'face' (upper-left below) was used in akkadian-based cultures (eg face of a diety). As previously mentioned, this english-sorted dictionary accounts for synonyms and grouped words (eg list of spices), making it easier to use.

In the image, you'll also see a footnote, where Cohen pulled from more recent sources, in addition to the dictionaries.

4. 'A Concise Dictionary of Akkadian' (Black, George, Postgate)
https://www.amazon.com/Dictionary-Akkadian-Arbeiten-Untersuchungen-Keilschriftkunde/dp/3447042648

Although 'concise', it's still 450 pages of detailed listings. It just doesn't have the usage examples. It's sorted by transliteration, similar to CAD, so words can quickly be located. But one must still check usage examples (eg CAD). The example below, is for 'face' ... the entry is longer than the its normal.
The volume shipped (above) is the 2nd corrected printing (2017).

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Comments

David Wanat

I’m curious. Do you eventually need to be able to read the cuneiform or is that not essential?

(Asking, because looking at the cuneiform, it seems overwhelming to try to disti one from the other.)

DMB

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1167903#Comment_1167903

Do you eventually need to be able to read the cuneiform or is that not essential?

No ... the transliterated works fine, given that it's coming from more expert sources. The bigger issue (like hebrew) is divining the meaning.

If you're familiar with Chinese/Japanese (don't know if Korean), it's interesting how the cuneiform contruction is similar, as more complex forms are created. One with a hard 'knife', the others with a brush.

HJ. van der Wal

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1167904#Comment_1167904

Do you eventually need to be able to read the cuneiform or is that not essential?

No ... the transliterated fine, given that it's coming from more expert sources.

When I was at university I took some introductory courses in Akkadian. We did have to learn how to use sign lists to read the cuneiform text(s) but I agree with Denise that the transliterated works are fine. Here are some random examples of transliterated Akkadian texts in Logos:

David Wanat

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1167904#Comment_1167904

Do you eventually need to be able to read the cuneiform or is that not essential?

No ... the transliterated works fine, given that it's coming from more expert sources. The bigger issue (like hebrew) is divining the meaning.

If you're familiar with Chinese/Japanese (don't know if Korean), it's interesting how the cuneiform contruction is similar, as more complex forms are created. One with a hard 'knife', the others with a brush.

Good to know. The Logos resource I shared in the previous Akkadian thread did have some cuneiform examples. Perhaps it was aimed at archaeologists originally?

DMB

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1167959#Comment_1167959

Good to know. The Logos resource I shared in the previous Akkadian thread did have some cuneiform examples. Perhaps it was aimed at archaeologists originally?

Probably HJ's the better opinion ... his earlier years. But I think it's good to be conversant with the base of a language, if not expert. I don't think most would pick up an Akkadian grammar ... only in Logos!

But scanning thru these dictionaries (analytically addicted), I wondered at just how much hebrew is 'missing' ... not captured in a few writings retained presumably by the priest/scribal class. I'm thinking to test a small semantic 'circle' and work 'sideways' into hebrew.