SumerianGrammar

40 CHAPTER FIVE
5.4.2.5. Dative
The dative case particle [ra] has the allomorphs [ra] and [r] where
the original distribution was probably between [ra] after a consonant
(including -H and genitive -a(k)) and [r] after a vowel. In OS,
no dative is marked graphically when the preceding noun ends in
a vowel (see above 5.4.2.3). In NS and OB Sumerian both -V-Vr
and -V-ra occur. Cf. lugal-/nin-a-ni-ir “to his/her lord/lady”, ubiquitous
in royal inscriptions, as against lugal-∞gu 10 -ra “to my lord” in
the opening of letters.
Note: Cf. Michalowski 1993 nos. 87–92, 94 Na-ni(-r) “to Nani”, but 93 Na-nira.
Rarely lugal-∞gu 10 -úr, d Nanna-ar “to my lord”, “to the Moongod”.
Cases where, after a vowel, -ra is written instead of -Vr, may either
be regarded as purely orthographical variants or as some kind of
grammatical hyper-correction.
Dative -r(a) with person class nouns almost always stands in complementary
distribution with locative -a, occuring with non-person
class nouns.
Note: Zólyomi 1999 proposed a complementary distribution of personal dative
and “inanimate” directive in the prefixed string of verbal directional particles.
As for the relationship between case particles and verbal dimensional
prefix particles, the case of the concord of -r(a) and verbal infixed
-na- “to him/her” is one of the most clearly marked.
The function of dative -r(a) is, generally, to indicate that an action
or state is in a person’s favour; that speech is addressed to a person;
or that a certain state of mind (e.g., love, hatred) is felt towards
a person.
5.4.2.6. Comitative
The comitative is expressed by [da]. There is no restriction to either
person or non-person class. The general function is to express company,
doing something or being with someone or something; being
in someone’s neighbourhood; mental and intellectual participation;
ability to do something. The particle may, originally, have been identical
with the noun da “side”; but this cannot be proved.
an-da gú-lá-a “(hang the neck with =) embracing heaven” (said
of the height of a building).
ama-a [d]umu-da gù n[u]-mu(-n)-da(-n)-dé “a mother did not (talk
with =) nag her child” Gudea Cyl. A xiii 3.
Commodity (grain, silver) PN 1 (ergative) PN 2 -da an-da-tuku “PN 1
(creditor) (has with =) is owed by PN 2 (debtor)” NRVN I 61:7, and