SumerianGrammar

THE VERB 101
Note: Wilcke 1988, 35, suggested that ì-íb-∞gál means “is found on (the surface
of ) something” and ì-in-∞gál “is found in it”, thus explaining the contrastive use
of directive [b(i)] and locative 2 [n(i)].
ab-ús-sa [a-b(i)-us-a] “(house) which is bordering on (. . .)” Ukg. 4/5
xi 3.
ab-§rú-a “(pedestals) which had been erected (at . . .)” Ent. 28/29
ii 41.
Parallel to person class [ni], non-person class [bi] may assume the
function of expressing causative:
ud 5 -dè ní∞g-àr-ra bí-íb-gu 7 -en “I will (make eat =) feed the goats
with groats” Nanna’s Journey 271.
ní∞g-àr-ra “groats” is in the absolutive (‘object’); the ergative subject
of the one who feeds is implied in the verbal form. The second
‘subject’, the one being fed, cannot stand in a second absolutive case
(in Akkadian: double accusative); it is in the directive.
Edzard 1976b, 72 f., attempted an explanation of the Sumerian
causative construction: The Akkadian sentence “arrum “akkanakkam
àlam u“èpi“ “the king had the general build a city” cannot be rendered
in Sumerian with two absolutive (“accusative”) cases. The person
caused to act (“akkanakkum) has to stand in a dimensional case,
preferably in the dative if it is a person: lugal-e (ergative) “agin-ra
(dative) eri (absolutive). The dative “agin-ra cannot, however, be
resumed by the infixed particle of the dative, -na-, because a sentence
*lugal-e “agin-ra eri mu-na-an-§rú would mean “the king built
a city for the general”; instead of -na-, directive -ni- is used.
Zólyomi 1999, 219 with fn. 9, quotes, but rejects Edzard’s explanation,
but the author would still maintain his position.
Note: Zólyomi’s example (1999, 318:6) É-an-na-túm-ra lú ti mu-ni(-n)-ra “someone
(struck =) sent an arrow against E.” has no causative implication at all and
cannot serve as an argument.
12.8.1.23a: The imperative “úm-me-eb “give it to us” has most probably
to be interpreted as a ventive form; see (59).
12.8.1.24: No examples available to the author for “to you (pl.)”.
gar [i-ene-e-n-∞
12.8.1.25 [(e)ne]: gú-ne-ne-a e-ne(-n)-∞ gar] “he (put (it)
on their neck =) charged (it) to their account”.
Note: More frequent in the sg. gú-na e-na(-n)-∞gar where dative -na- (2) is used.
While the sg. offers a clear locative : dative correspondence, in the pl. it is locative
: directive. For reasons still unknown to us *[i-ene-a-n-∞gar] has been replaced
by [i-ene-e-n-∞gar].