SumerianGrammar

PREFACE
The present Sumerian Grammar with which the Publisher Brill kindly
entrusted the author is essentially based on introductory classes of
Sumerian offered at the Institut für Assyriologie und Hethitologie of
Munich University over the last twenty years, as well as on a two
semester course on “Geschichte der sumerischen Sprache” (winter
1996/97 and summer 1997). Part of the “History” was also presented
in lectures at the University of London and at Oxford University
between October 15 and November 5, 1998. While offering my own
personal ideas—some of which will no doubt be considered highly
subjective—I have tried to discuss, or at least quote, differing opinions
as often as possible.
In order to avoid footnotes, the main text has been interspersed
with numerous “notes” where secondary comments and explanations
are to be found.
As a non-English speaker, I was in need of someone to correct
my grammar, style, spelling, and punctuation. Nicholas Postgate of
Trinity College, Cambridge University, proved to be the ideal adviser,
himself not unfamiliar with the problems of Sumerian grammar. He
not only offered innumerable corrections but quite often also guidance,
by pointing out that an argument was unclear, that a description
was lacking evidence, or even that some paragraph was misplaced.
These corrections were made partly by mail and to a considerable
degree during a three day stay by the author at Trinity College and
at the home of the Postgates. For all this, my most sincere gratitude
is due to Nicholas.
The author gratefully acknowledges that he made frequent use of
Steve Tinney’s lexical “Index to the Secondary Literature. A collated
list of indexes and glossaries to the secondary literature concerning
the Sumerian Language” (Philadelphia 1993 ff.).
The Publishing House Brill and their Editors, Mevr. Tanja Cowall
and Mevr. Patricia Radder, have been extremely patient with the
author’s self-indulgent interpretation of the deadline originally set for
the publication of the book. They are, therefore, entitled to my heartfelt
gratitude.