The Semantic Root

  • Semitic languages are built on a consonantal root pattern.
  • Generally there are three consonants that form the basis for many derivatives.
    • Each consonant is called a radical.
    • The sequence of radicals is called the root.
  • Derivatives are formed with vowel patterns, prefixes, suffixes, and duplication.
  • p-r-s is the traditional paradigmatic root.
    • sometimes R1R2R3 and V are used instead.

Verbs

Verb Semantics

  • Active-transitive:
    • take a direct object
  • Active-intransitive:
    • do not take a direct object
    • often verbs of motion
  • Stative (adjectival):
    • to be X or to become X

Note: some verbs can be in more than one category.

Verb Stems

  • Semitic verbs appear in stems.
    • Stems affect the formation and meaning of the verb.
    • Equivalent to binyanim in modern Hebrew designations.
    • Learning the G-stem, also called Grundstamm.
      • It is the “basic” stem.
      • Equivalent to the Hebrew Qal stem.

G Infinitive

  • The infinitive is a declinable noun, meaning that it has noun endings.

    • Plural forms of the infinitive do not exist.

  • It follows the parās + noun ending pattern. (šakānum, šakānim) (R1aR2āR3-noun ending)

  • Infinitives following prepositions often have special meanings that must be memorized.

  • All verbs are listed under the infinitive in modern Akkadian dictionaries.

  • Infinitive is often best translated with a gerund.

    wardum ina šakānim ša ḫurāṣim imqut

    The slave fell when stealing the gold.

  • Infinitive following a preposition may have a special meaning:

    • ana + infin = in order to
    • ina + infin = when, while, by

G Preterite

Form

  • The base is R1R2VR3.
    • The V is theme vowel.
    • The theme vowel is always short in the G preterite.
    • The theme vowel is unpredictable and must be memorized per root.
      • iškun > šakānum, išriq > šarāqum, iṣbat > ṣabātum
  • Prefixes and suffixes are added to decline the verb.
G Preterite Form
SingularPlural
3mi—i—ū
3fi—i—ā
2mta—ta—ā
2fta—īta—ā
1ca—ni—
  • Notice that the 3ms and 3fs are the same. These can be condensed to 3cs.
  • Same for 2mp and 2fp.
Paras G Preterite Form
SingularPlural
3miprusiprusū
3fiprusiprusā
2mtaprustaprusā
2ftaprusītaprusā
1caprusniprus

Meaning

  • Preterite is punctual (viewed as having occurred at single point in time)
  • Best translated as single past tense.
  • The pronominal subject (I, you, etc.) is implicit in the verb.
  • Independent pronouns are added for:
    • emphasis
    • enumerating the subject (you and I (we) went…)
    • Independent pronouns stand at the beginning of verbal clauses (contra verbless clauses).

Word Order

  • Normal word order is Subject — Direct Object — Adjunct — Verb.
  • Adjuncts are all adverbs, prepositional phrases, indirect objects, etc.
  • Can be rearranged.
  • Verb is ALWAYS last.
  • Verbs must agree with their subjects in person, gender, and number.
    • Dual subjects are usually treated as feminine plural even when they are masculine.
    • Compound subjects take plural verbs.
      • If any member is masculine, the verb is masculine.
    • Collective nouns can take singular or plural verbs.

Anki Deck