Johnson 2004 - CDLI - UCLA

4.1 Focus in Sumerian
Since focus constructions are important in that they can act as a heuristic tool in
reconstructing the pragmatics (and the syntax for that matter) of archaeologically
recovered languages, I would like to turn to some basic examples of focus in Sumerian.
One might imagine that two contexts would be promising: (a) the answer given to a
content- or wh-question (known as informational focus in some circles), and (b) contexts
in which there is an explicit contrast between one referent and another (known as
identificational or contrastive focus).
(1) Gilgamesh and the Netherworld [1.8.1.4], ll. 174-179 (George 2003, 898-905)
174. œiß ellag.œu 10 kur.ße 3 mu.da.ßub (Gilgamesh:) As for my ellag, it has fallen
a.ba.a ma.ra.ab.e 11.de 3
175. œiß e.ke 4.ma.œu 10 ganzer.ße 3
mu.da.ßub a.ba.a ma.ra.ab.e 11.de 3
177. lugal.œu 10 er 2 e.ne ba.ße 8.ße 8
263
into the netherworld, who will descend
on my behalf?
As for my ekema, it has fallen into Ganzer,
who will descend on my behalf?
(Enkidu:) My king, you are weeping,
178. u 4.da œiß ellag.zu kur.ta œa 2.e At daybreak, as for your ellag, let me
ga mu.ra.ab.e 11.de 3
retrieve it from the netherworld for you,
179. œiß e.ke 4.ma.zu ganzer.ta œa 2.e As for your ekema, let me retrieve it from
ga mu.ra.ab.e 11.de 3
Ganzer for you,
In (1), in response to Gilgamesh’s question, Enkidu answers and the noun phrase that
specifically answers that wh-question is œa 2.e “I” with the rest of the sentence merely