Samas Deity and Sumerian Tense Aspect Quiz

Samas: Unraveling the Tense Aspect

Samas, a term often used in the context of ancient Sumerian language and civilization, carries significance that goes beyond its role as a noun. In this article, we'll explore Samas' relevance in understanding the tense aspect of Sumerian grammar, shedding light on the intricacies of this ancient language.

The Sumerian Language

Sumerian, an extinct language spoken around 2000 BCE in the city-states of ancient Sumerians in southern Mesopotamia, is a fascinating example of a language that defies the constraints of modern linguistic theory. Sumerian is a logographic language, meaning it uses symbols to represent entire words rather than phonetic sounds. Despite this challenge, scholars have made progress in discerning its grammatical structures, including its use of tense.

Tense in Sumerian

Sumerian does not possess a straightforward system of tense we would recognize from modern languages like English, such as past, present, and future. Instead, its tense structure, while complex, has its own logical and beautiful framework.

Sumerian tense markers are usually bound morphemes, meaning they are affixed to the verb stem. The tense system is based on three aspects: present, past, and future, with each aspect having its own unique set of tense markers.

1. Present Tense Markers: This aspect of tense is created using the root of the verb without any suffixes.

2. Past Tense Markers: The past tense is indicated by the addition of a suffix to the verb stem.

3. Future Tense Markers: The future tense is shown by the usage of a specific suffix followed by an infixed marker commonly known as the "future marker."

Samas and the Future Tense

The deity Samas, a solar god in Sumerian mythology, is more than just a divine figure. His name has a significant bearing on the Sumerian language, particularly in the context of future tense markers.

The future tense in Sumerian is signaled by the suffix -di (in the singular) or -tim (in the plural) followed by the infixed marker sa-ma-as, meaning "Samas." This intricate system of future marking is a unique feature of Sumerian, providing a fascinating glimpse into the richness of its grammar.

Putting It All Together

To illustrate the use of tense in Sumerian, let's examine an example in English followed by its Sumerian equivalent.

English: I will eat today. Sumerian: An-da-gir5-lu-kam-sa-ma-as (literally "today eat-future-Samas")

Naturally, the Sumerian sentence is not translatable word-for-word into English, but its structure demonstrates the complex and intriguing system of tense marking that defines the Sumerian language.

Conclusion

The Samas deity and its role in the Sumerian language, particularly in the future tense aspect, is a testament to the fascinating complexity of the ancient Sumerian language and its rich grammatical structures. While Sumerian is no longer spoken, the study of its grammar remains a source of fascination and insight into the human capacity for expressive language. Understanding Samas and the Sumerian tense system provides a deeper appreciation for this captivating civilization and its language.