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# Sumerian: Debate between Bird & Fish

🏷 Sumerian text interlinear · text — by Gerry · Dec 2024 · 5044 words

The Debate between Bird and Fish is a Sumerian disputations from the 3rd millennium BC, where Bird & Fish are insulting each other. This time, it’s for once not about politics: Bird puns with “girl”, and Fish with “pregnancy”. From the context it seems that the girl is a pleasure slave brought in to replace the pregnant wive who’s become too unsightly. So the elites did not only secretly crack pun-encrypted jokes about their subjects, but also about their wives & women.

## Introduction

With pun analysis, you can see relatively quickly what the bird & fish debate is really about. The debates are always about things or concepts that go together, as complements or opposites. Since the elites knew nothing about nature, it has to be something from the human world.

- Bird is written as 𒄷 mušen, which also means “girl” & “mistress”. There are practically no other words in any Sumerian dictionary that are similar.
- Fish is written as 𒄩 ku₆. This sign can also be read as 𒄩 peš₁₁, which means “swelling” & “pregnancy”. So we already have 2 women-related concepts. A “pregnant” woman and the “mistress” replacing her would also be good antagonists for a debate.
- Throughout the text, Bird is described as beautiful, Fish as ugly. This also fits the “mistress” & “pregnancy” puns, with no need for decryption.
- In addition, Bird is described as being chased after, by all men & boys of the household. This also fits the “mistress”, with no need for decryption.
- As Bird is described as being brought into the palace bound & gagged, I assume she’s not a regular “mistress”. Rather, she’s a slave “girl” that the owner of the palace bought to replace his wife, who’s lost her attractiveness during pregnancy.

So, for once we found a text that isn’t about aristocrats cheating on their subjects. Instead, it’s about aristocrats cheating on their wives. Since that one isn’t a very big secret, I only decrypted a few easy lines in the middle, to show how it works.

### References

The cuneiform glyph codes and official translations were taken from these websites:

- Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature 1 (glyph codes, translation)
- Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature 2 (alternate layout)

### How to read this

- In the interlinear word-by-word translation, each word is shown as a little block; each verse is a paragraph of little blocks.
- Use the Pun Config to choose your level: Minimal for secret meaning only, Beginner for secret & official English texts, Intermediate for word-by-word vocabulary, Expert for original text & glyphs.
- Possible pun-encrypted meaning is marked with light red.
- Official meaning is marked with light green.
- Pun vocabulary is in red, whenever the meaning differs. All vocabulary is linked to online dictionaries.
- Please read the introduction, and judge yourself whether I got it right.
- Religious readers should proceed with care.

## Arguments of Pregnant-Lady 1

(This is not the start of the text, but a section in the middle, where the Pregnant-Lady insults the Pleasure-Girl.)

### Farmer boys & gardeners lust & wank after Pleasure-Girl.

#### Bird & Fish 33

> Encrypted: In the furrows, the sons of the farmers holding their “cords” and “strings” make after you.

> Official: In the furrows, the sons of the farmers with their cords and nets make after you.

> [In] the furrows,
> 𒀊𒉆 ab.sin₂: furrow
> 𒀊𒉆𒈾 ab.sin₂.na
> 𒀊𒉆 ab.sin₂: furrow
> [In] the furrows,
> the sons
> 𒌉 dumu: child, son
> 𒌉 dumu
> 𒌉 dumu: child, son
> the sons
> of the farmers
> 𒀳 engar: farmer
> 𒀳𒊏𒆤𒉈 engar.ra.ke₄.ne
> 𒀳 engar: farmer
> of the farmers
> [holding their] “cords”
> 𒄘 gu₂: cord, net
> 𒄘 gu₂
> 𒄘 gu₂: cord, net
> [with their] cords
> [and] “strings”
> 𒊓 sa: string, cord
> 𒊓 sa
> 𒊓𒊓 sa: net
> [and] nets
> make [after you].
> 𒀝 ak: do, make, act
> 𒉆𒈪𒊑𒀝 nam.mi.ri.ak
> 𒀝 ak: do, make, act
> make [after you].

> Bird & Fish 33

#### Bird & Fish 34

> Encrypted: The gardener in the garden, his little “string” stands erect.

> Official: The gardener in the garden his nets sets up.

> The gardener
> 𒉡𒄑𒊬 nu.{geš}kiri₆: gardener
> 𒉡𒄑𒊬𒆤 nu.giškiri₆.ke₄
> 𒉡𒄑𒊬 nu.{geš}kiri₆: gardener
> The gardener
> [in] the garden,
> 𒄑𒊬 {geš}kiri₆: orchard, plantation, garden
> 𒇥𒄑𒊬𒇥𒄑𒊬𒀀 pu₂.{geš}kiri₆.pu₂.{geš}kiri₆.a
> 𒄑𒊬 {geš}kiri₆: orchard, plantation, garden
> [in] the garden
> [his little] “string”
> 𒊓 sa: string, cord
> 𒊓 sa
> 𒊓 sa: net
> [his] nets
> stands erect.
> 𒁺 gub: erect
> 𒈾𒈬𒂊𒊑𒁺 na.mu.e.ri.gub
> 𒁺 gub: stand, set up
> sets up.

> Bird & Fish 34

#### Bird & Fish 35

> Encrypted: From “firing” his little “sling” his arm he can not lay down, his knees he can not bend down to rest.

> Official: From firing his sling his arm he can not lay down, his knees he can not bend down to rest.

> From [“firing” his little] “sling”
> 𒋢𒁕𒇻𒌀 {kuš}da.lu.uš₂: sling; 𒋫 ta: from
> 𒋢𒁕𒇻𒍗𒋫 {kuš}da.lu.uš₂.ta
> 𒋢𒁕𒇻𒌀 {kuš}da.lu.uš₂: sling; 𒋫 ta: from
> From [firing his] sling
> [his] arm
> 𒀉 a₂: arm
> 𒀉𒉌 a₂.ni
> 𒀉 a₂: arm
> [his] arm
> [he can] not
> 𒉡 nu: not
> 𒉡 nu
> 𒉡 nu: not
> [he can] not
> lay down,
> 𒃻 gar: place, lay down
> 𒂷𒂷 ga₂.ga₂
> 𒃻 gar: place, lay down
> lay down,
> [his] knees
> 𒄭 dub₃: knee
> 𒄭 dub₃
> 𒄭 dub₃: knee
> [his] knees
> [he can] not
> 𒉡 nu: not
> 𒉡 nu
> 𒉡 nu: not
> [he can] not
> bend down [to rest].
> 𒃵 gam: bend; 𒃵𒃵 gam.gam: bow
> 𒈬𒂊𒅆𒅁𒃵𒂊 mu.e.ši.ib.gam.e
> 𒃵 gam: bend; 𒃵𒃵 gam.gam: bow
> bend down [to rest].

> Bird & Fish 35

### Men have sex with Pleasure-Girl in rooms & places all over the palace.

#### Bird & Fish 36

> Encrypted: In the garden you do things joyful, your flesh is up to no good.

> Official: In the garden you do things that are bad, your body is up to no good.

> [In] the garden
> 𒊬 sar: mix, mixed
> 𒊬𒊬𒊏 mu₂.sar.ra
> 𒊬𒊬 mu₂.sar: garden
> [In] the garden
> [you do] things
> 𒃻 nig₂: thing
> 𒃻 nig₂
> 𒃻 nig₂: thing
> [you do] things
> joyful,
> 𒅆𒌨 hul: joy, rejoicing
> 𒈬𒉌𒅁𒅆𒌨𒅆𒌨 mu.ni.ib.hul.hul
> 𒅆𒌨 hulu: bad
> that are bad,
> [your] flesh
> 𒋢 su: flesh, body
> 𒋢 su
> 𒋢 su: flesh, body
> [your] body
> [is up to] no
> 𒉡 nu: not
> 𒉡 nu
> 𒉡 nu: not
> [is up to] no
> good.
> 𒄭 dug₃: good
> 𒈬𒌦𒁕𒄭𒄀 mu.un.da.dug₃.ge
> 𒄭 dug₃: good
> good.

> Bird & Fish 36

#### Bird & Fish 37

> Encrypted: In the bedrooms, in the places that look wet, there is your bodily footprint that is not so good looking.

> Official: In the fields, in the places that are wet, there are your footprints that are not good looking.

> [In] the bedrooms,
> 𒂍𒊮 e₂.šag₄: inner chamber, bedroom
> 𒀀𒊮 a.šag₄
> 𒀀𒊮 a.šag₄: field
> [In] the fields,
> [in] the places
> 𒆠 ki: place
> 𒆠 ki
> 𒆠 ki: place
> [in] the places
> that [look] wet,
> 𒀀 duru₅: wet
> 𒀀 duru₅
> 𒀀 duru₅: wet
> that are wet,
> there is
> 𒅅 gal₂: be
> 𒅅𒅅𒆷𒁀 gal₂.gal₂.la.ba
> 𒅅 gal₂: be
> there are
> your [bodily] footprint
> 𒄊 giri₃: foot; 𒄊 miri×gir₃: footprint; 𒍪 zu: your
> 𒄊𒍪 giri₃.zu
> 𒄊 giri₃: foot; 𒄊 miri×gir₃: footprint; 𒍪 zu: your
> your footprints
> that is not
> 𒉡 nu: not
> 𒉡 nu
> 𒉡 nu: not
> that are not
> [so] good [looking].
> 𒋳 zil₂: good
> 𒋳𒋳𒄿 zil₂.zil₂.i
> 𒋳 zil₂: good
> good [looking].

> Bird & Fish 37

#### Bird & Fish 38

> Encrypted: Pleasure-Girl, your genitalia you do not cover, you spread your cleft far & wide.

> Official: Bird, shame you do not know, in the courtyard you defecate far & wide.

> [Pleasure-]Girl,
> 𒄷 mušen: girl, young woman, mistress
> 𒄷 mušen
> 𒄷 mušen: bird
> Bird,
> [your] genitalia
> 𒌨 teš₂: female genitalia
> 𒌨 teš₂
> 𒌨 teš₂: (sense of) shame, dignity
> shame
> [you do] not
> 𒉡 nu: not
> 𒉡 nu
> 𒉡 nu: not
> [you do] not
> cover,
> 𒍪 su₂: cover
> 𒍪 zu
> 𒍪 zu: know
> know,
> [you] spread
> 𒆦 kisal: spread out
> 𒆦𒂊 kisal.e
> 𒆦 kisal: courtyard
> [in] the courtyard
> [your] cleft
> 𒂉 dur₂: bottom, buttocks, cleft
> 𒆪 𒆪 šed₆
> 𒆪 suh₅: defecate; 𒆪 šed₆: excrement, guano
> [you] defecate
> far & wide.
> 𒋤 sud: distant
> 𒋤𒋤 sud.sud
> 𒋤 sud: distant
> far & wide.

> Bird & Fish 38

#### Bird & Fish 39

> Encrypted: The courtyard sweeper young of the house, to chase you he hangs out his “rope”, and with his feet he runs after you.

> Official: The courtyard sweeper young of the house, to chase you he hangs out his rope, and with his feet he runs after you.

> The courtyard sweeper
> 𒆦𒈛 kisal.luh: courtyard sweeper
> 𒆦𒈛 kisal.luh
> 𒆦𒈛 kisal.luh: courtyard sweeper
> The courtyard sweeper
> young
> 𒌉 tur: small, young
> 𒌉 tur
> 𒌉 tur: small, young
> young
> of the house,
> 𒂍 e₂: house, estate
> 𒂍𒀀 e₂.a
> 𒂍 e₂: house, estate
> of the house,
> to chase [you??]
> 𒊓 sa: net, run, hasten, chase away
> 𒊓 sa
> 𒊓 sa: net, run, hasten, chase away
> to chase [you??]
> he hangs [out]
> 𒇲 la₂: hang, stretch out
> 𒇲𒂊 la₂.e
> 𒇲 la₂: hang, stretch out
> he hangs [out]
> [his] “rope”,
> 𒂠 eš₂: rope
> 𒂠 eš₂
> 𒂠 eš₂: rope
> [his] rope,
> [and with his] feet
> 𒄸 hub₂: foot
> 𒄸 𒄸
> 𒄸 hub₂: foot
> [and with his] feet
> he runs [after you].
> 𒊬 sar: run, hasten, chase away
> 𒈪𒉌𒅔𒊬𒊑 mi.ni.in.sar.re
> 𒊬 sar: run, hasten, chase away
> he runs [after you].

> Bird & Fish 39

#### Bird & Fish 40

> Encrypted: From your noises in the houses of the palace everyone is confused, your noises make people leave.

> Official: From your noise in the houses of the palace everyone is confused, your noise makes people leave.

> From your noises
> 𒍝𒉺𒉘 za.pa.ag₂: voice, noise, breath; 𒍪 zu: your; 𒋫 ta: from, out of
> 𒍝𒉺𒉘𒍪𒋫 za.pa.ag₂.zu.ta
> 𒍝𒉺𒉘 za.pa.ag₂: voice, noise, breath; 𒍪 zu: your; 𒋫 ta: from, out of
> From your noise
> [in] the houses
> 𒂍 e₂: house
> 𒂍𒂊 e₂.e
> 𒂍 e₂: house
> [in] the houses
> of the palace
> 𒂍𒃲 e₂.gal: palace
> 𒂍𒃲 e₂.gal
> 𒂍𒃲 e₂.gal: palace
> of the palace
> [everyone] is confused,
> 𒄗 suh₃: confuse, confusion
> 𒅎𒄗𒄗 im.suh₃.suh₃
> 𒄗 suh₃: confuse, confusion
> [everyone] is confused,
> [your] noises
> 𒅗 gu₃: voice, noise, cry
> 𒅗 gu₃
> 𒅗 gu₃: voice, noise, cry
> [your] noise
> [make people] leave.
> 𒊒 šub: leave
> 𒈬𒂊𒅆𒅁𒊒𒁉 mu.e.ši.ib.šub.be₂
> 𒊒 šub: leave
> [makes people] leave.

> Bird & Fish 40

#### Bird & Fish 41

> Encrypted: Into the shed where they fatten animals they bring you.

> Official: Into the shed where they fatten animals they bring you.

> [Into] the shed
> 𒂍 e₂: house, box, cabin
> 𒂍 e₂
> 𒂍 e₂: house, box, cabin
> [Into] the shed
> [where they] fatten animals
> 𒆯 kurušda: animal fattener
> 𒆯𒅗 gurušta.ka
> 𒆯 kurušda: animal fattener
> [where they] fatten animals
> [they] bring [you].
> 𒆭 kur₉: enter, bring into, brought in
> 𒈬𒉌𒅁𒆮𒆮𒉈 mu.ni.ib.ku₄.ku₄.ne
> 𒆭 kur₉: enter, bring into, brought in
> [they] bring [you].

> Bird & Fish 41

#### Bird & Fish 42

> Encrypted: Like cattle and sheep are the sounds you make there.

> Official: Like cattle and sheep are the sounds you make there.

> [Like] cattle
> 𒄞 gud: bull, cattle
> 𒄞 gud
> 𒄞 gud: bull, cattle
> [Like] cattle
> [and] sheep
> 𒇻 udu: sheep
> 𒇻𒁶 udu.gin₇
> 𒇻 udu: sheep
> [and] sheep
> [are] the sounds [you make there].
> 𒅲 mu₇: noise, sound
> 𒈪𒉌𒅁𒅲𒂊𒉈 mi.ni.ib.mu₇.e.ne
> 𒅲 mu₇: noise, sound
> [are] the sounds [you make there].

> Bird & Fish 42

#### Bird & Fish 43

> Encrypted: Their semen noisily from their private vessels they pour into you.

> Official: Water cool from vessels they pour for you.

> [Their] semen
> 𒀀 a: semen, sperm
> 𒀀 a
> 𒀀 a: water
> Water
> noisily
> 𒈹𒁲 sed₄: voice, noise, cry
> 𒈹𒁲 sed₄
> 𒈹𒁲 sed₄: cold
> cool
> [from their private] vessels
> 𒀀𒊕 a.sag: taboo, forbidden thing
> 𒂁𒀀𒋝𒂵 {dug}a.sig.ga
> 𒂁𒀀𒋝 {dug}a.sig: drinking vessel
> [from] vessels
> [they] pour
> 𒌤 de₂: pour
> 𒈠𒊏𒌤𒂊𒉈 ma.ra.de₂.e.ne
> 𒌤 de₂: pour
> [they] pour
> [into] you.
> 𒍝 za: you
> 𒍝𒂊 za.e
> 𒍝 za: you
> [for] you.

> Bird & Fish 43

#### Bird & Fish 44

> Encrypted: To your regular “offering” they drag you.

> Official: To the regular offering they drag you.

> [To your] regular “offering”
> 𒂊𒉈𒁲𒅗 e.ne.di.dug₄: have sexual intercourse
> 𒁲𒅗𒂠 sa₂.dug₄.še₃
> 𒁲𒅗 sa₂.dug₄: regular temple offerings
> [To the] regular offering
> [they] drag [you].
> 𒁍 gid₂: drag, tow, haul
> 𒈬𒂊𒁕𒀭𒁍𒄿𒉈 mu.e.da.an.gid₂.i.ne
> 𒁍 gid₂: drag, tow, haul
> [they] drag [you].

> Bird & Fish 44

### Pleasure-Girl was brought bound & gagged by slave-hunters.

#### Bird & Fish 45

> Encrypted: The girl-catcher with your arms bound brought you. The slave hunter into the palace brought you.

> Official: The bird-catcher with your wings bound brought you. The fisherman into the palace brought you.

> The girl-catcher
> 𒄷 mušen: girl, young woman, mistress; 𒆕 du₃: hold, keep in custody
> 𒄷𒆕𒂊 mušen.du₃.e
> 𒄷 mušen: bird; 𒆕 du₃: hold, keep in custody
> The bird-catcher
> [with your] arms
> 𒀉 a₂: arm, wing
> 𒀉 a₂
> 𒀉 a₂: arm, wing
> [with your] wings
> bound
> 𒇲 la₂: hang, bind, binding
> 𒇲𒋫 la₂.ta
> 𒇲 la₂: hang, bind, binding
> bound
> brought [you].
> 𒁺 de₆: carry; 𒁺 lah₆: bring
> 𒈬𒉌𒅁𒁺𒁺𒈬 mu.ni.ib.tum₂.tum₂.mu
> 𒁺 de₆: carry; 𒁺 lah₆: bring
> brought [you].
> The [slave] hunter
> 𒋗𒄩 šu.ku₆: hunter, catcher
> 𒋗𒄩𒉈 šu.ku₆.de₃
> 𒋗𒄩 šu.ku₆: fisherman
> The fisherman
> [into] the palace
> 𒂍𒃲 e₂.gal: palace
> 𒂍𒃲𒀀𒀭 e₂.gal.am₃
> 𒂍𒃲 e₂.gal: palace
> [into] the palace
> brought [you].
> 𒆭 kur₉: enter, bring into, brought in
> 𒈬𒉌𒅁𒆮𒆮 mu.ni.ib.ku₄.ku₄
> 𒆭 kur₉: enter, bring into, brought in
> brought [you].

> Bird & Fish 45

#### Bird & Fish 46

> Encrypted: Your wings and your eyes were bound. Your voice pouring out, help it would not get you. Your trying to fly away, what did it help you?

> Official: Your wings and your eyes were bound. Your voice pouring out, help it would not get you. Your trying to fly away, what did it help you?

> Your wings
> 𒉺 pa: wing, feathers, top; 𒍪 zu: your
> 𒉺𒍪 pa.zu
> 𒉺 pa: wing, feathers, top; 𒍪 zu: your
> Your wings
> [and] your eyes
> 𒅆 igi: face, eye; 𒍪 zu: your
> 𒅆𒍪 igi.zu
> 𒅆 igi: face, eye; 𒍪 zu: your
> [and] your eyes
> were bound.
> 𒆟 keš₂: bind
> 𒉌𒅎𒆟𒆟𒊑𒉈 i₃.im.keše₂.keše₂.re.ne
> 𒆟 keš₂: bind
> were bound.
> [Your] voice
> 𒅗 gu₃: voice, noise, cry
> 𒅗 gu₃
> 𒅗 gu₃: voice, noise, cry
> [Your] voice
> pouring out,
> 𒌤 de₂: pour
> 𒌤𒌤𒍪 de₂.de₂.zu
> 𒌤 de₂: pour
> pouring out,
> help [???]
> 𒆠𒊺𒅕 ki.še.er: limit, profit
> 𒆠𒊺𒅕 ki.še.er
> 𒆠𒊺𒅕 ki.še.er: limit, profit
> help [???]
> [it would] not
> 𒉡 nu: not
> 𒉡 nu
> 𒉡 nu: not
> [it would] not
> get [you].
> 𒌇 tuku: get, have
> 𒌇 nu.tuku
> 𒌇 tuku: get, have
> get [you].
> Your [trying to???] fly away,
> 𒊑 dal: fly; 𒍪 zu: your
> 𒊑𒊑𒍪 dal.dal.zu
> 𒊑 dal: fly; 𒍪 zu: your
> Your [trying to???] fly away,
> what [did it help you]?
> 𒀀𒈾𒀀𒀭 a.na.am₃: what
> 𒀀𒈾𒀀𒀭 a.na.am₃
> 𒀀𒈾𒀀𒀭 a.na.am₃: what
> what [did it help you]?

> Bird & Fish 46

#### Bird & Fish 48

> Encrypted: Your voice ugly in the night frightened people, for sleep refreshing one could not lay down.

> Official: Your voice ugly in the night frightened people, for sleep refreshing one could not lay down.

> [Your] voice
> 𒅗 gu₃: voice, noise, cry
> 𒅗 gu₃
> 𒅗 gu₃: voice, noise, cry
> [Your] voice
> ugly
> 𒅆𒌨 hulu: bad, corrupt, rotten
> 𒅆𒌨𒍪𒋫 hul.zu.ta
> 𒅆𒌨 hulu: bad, corrupt, rotten
> ugly
> [in] the night
> 𒈪 gi₆: night
> 𒈪 gi₆
> 𒈪 gi₆: night
> [in] the night
> frightened [people],
> 𒈛 huluh: frightened
> 𒄷𒈛𒂗 hu.luh.en
> 𒈛 huluh: frightened
> frightened [people],
> [for] sleep
> 𒅇 u₃: sleep
> 𒅇 u₃
> 𒅇 u₃: sleep
> [for] sleep
> refreshing
> 𒄭 dug₃: good, fresh, satisfy
> 𒄭 dug₃
> 𒄭 dug₃: good, fresh, satisfy
> refreshing
> [one could] not
> 𒉡 nu: not
> 𒉡 nu
> 𒉡 nu: not
> [one could] not
> lay down.
> 𒆪 ku: place, lay (down)
> 𒈬𒌦𒆪𒆪𒉈 nu.mu.un.ku.ku.ne
> 𒆪 ku: place, lay (down)
> lay down.

> Bird & Fish 48

### Pleasure-Girl belongs to the muddy marshland where she was abducted.

#### Bird & Fish 49

> Encrypted: Pleasure-Girl, to the marshes return, and get your noise out of my skull! Back to your pit in a rubbish heap go, that is appropriate for you!

> Official: Bird, to the marshes return, and get your noise out of my skull! Back to your pit in a rubbish heap go, that is appropriate for you!

> [Pleasure-]Girl,
> 𒄷 mušen: girl, young woman, mistress
> 𒄷 mušen
> 𒄷 mušen: bird
> Bird,
> [to] the marshes
> 𒆹 ambar: marsh, reed-bed; 𒆹 aya₄: marshland; 𒆹 sug: steppe
> 𒆹𒋫 ambar.ta
> 𒆹 ambar: marsh, reed-bed; 𒆹 aya₄: marshland; 𒆹 sug: steppe
> [to] the marshes
> return,
> 𒌓𒁺 e₃: go out, leave, remove
> 𒌓𒁺𒁀𒊏 e₃.ba.ra
> 𒌓𒁺 e₃: go out, leave, remove
> return,
> [and get your] noise
> 𒍝𒉺𒉘 za.pa.ag₂: voice, noise, breath; 𒍪 zu: your
> 𒍝𒉺𒉘𒍪 za.pa.ag₂.zu
> 𒍝𒉺𒉘 za.pa.ag₂: voice, noise, breath; 𒍪 zu: your
> [and get your] noise
> out of [my?] skull!
> 𒌋𒅗 ugu: skull, pate; 𒋫 ta: from, out of
> 𒌋𒅗𒈬𒋫 ugu.gu₁₀.ta
> 𒌋𒅗 ugu: skull, pate; 𒋫 ta: from, out of
> out of [my?] skull!
> [Back to your] pit
> 𒇥𒊕 pu₂.sag: pit, hollow
> 𒇥𒊕 pu₂.sag
> 𒇥𒊕 pu₂.sag: pit, hollow
> [Back to your] pit
> [in] a rubbish heap
> 𒅖𒁾𒁀 sahar.dub.ba: rubbish heap, sand dune
> 𒅖𒁾𒁀𒅗 sahar.dub.ba.ka
> 𒅖𒁾𒁀 sahar.dub.ba: rubbish heap, sand dune
> [in] a rubbish heap
> go,
> 𒌓𒁺 e₃: go out, leave, remove
> 𒌓𒁺𒉌𒅁 e₃.ni.ib
> 𒌓𒁺 e₃: go out, leave, remove
> go,
> that
> 𒄯 ur₅: that
> 𒄯𒊏𒀀𒀭 ur₅.ra.am₃
> 𒄯 ur₅: that
> that
> is appropriate [for you]!
> 𒈨𒋼 me.te: appropriate thing
> 𒈨𒋼𒍪𒌝 me.te.zu.um
> 𒈨𒋼 me.te: appropriate thing
> is appropriate [for you]!

> Bird & Fish 49

## Arguments of Pleasure-Girl 1

### Pleasure-Girl knows her own beauty, so insults roll off her back.

#### Bird & Fish 51

> Encrypted: On that day, the Pregnant-Lady towards the Pleasure-Girl her insults poured. But the Pleasure-Girl with her body colorful and her face colorful about her own beauty knew, and the insults of the Pregnant-Lady, whatever she poured on her, into her heart she did not let them pass.

> Official: On that day, Fish towards Bird her insults poured. But Bird with her body colorful and her face colorful about her own beauty knew, and the insults of Fish, whatever she poured on her, into her heart she did not let them pass.

> [On that] day,
> 𒌓 ud: day
> 𒌓𒁉𒀀 ud.bi.a
> 𒌓 ud: day
> [On that] day,
> the Pregnant[-Lady]
> 𒄩 peš₁₁: swell, pregnant, pregnancy
> 𒄩𒂊 ku₆.e
> 𒄩 ku₆: fish
> Fish
> [towards the Pleasure-]Girl
> 𒄷 mušen: girl, young woman, mistress
> 𒄷𒊏 mušen.ra
> 𒄷 mušen: bird
> [towards] Bird
> [her] insults
> 𒅔 in: abuse, insult
> 𒅔𒂠 in.še₃
> 𒅔 in: abuse, insult
> [her] insults
> poured.
> 𒂀 dub₂: heap up, pile, pour
> 𒈬𒉌𒅔𒂀 mu.ni.in.dub₂
> 𒂀 dub₂: heap up, pile, pour
> poured.
> [But the Pleasure-]Girl
> 𒄷 mušen: girl, young woman, mistress
> 𒄷 mušen
> 𒄷 mušen: bird
> [But] Bird
> [with her] body
> 𒁇 bar: outer form, body, skin
> 𒁇 bar
> 𒁇 bar: outer form, body, skin
> [with her] body
> colorful
> 𒁯 gun₃: multicolored, anoint, apply makeup
> 𒁯𒁯 gun₃.gun₃
> 𒁯 gun₃: multicolored, anoint, apply makeup
> colorful
> [and] her face
> 𒅆 igi: face, eye
> 𒅆 igi
> 𒅆 igi: face, eye
> [and] her face
> colorful
> 𒁯 gun₃: multicolored, anoint, apply makeup
> 𒁯𒁯 gun₃.gun₃
> 𒁯 gun₃: multicolored, anoint, apply makeup
> colorful
> [about her own] beauty
> 𒊷 sag₉: good, sweet, beautiful
> 𒊷𒂵𒉌𒂠 sag₉.ga.ni.še₃
> 𒊷 sag₉: good, sweet, beautiful
> [about her own] beauty
> knew,
> 𒍪 zu: know, learn
> 𒈬𒌦𒍪 mu.un.zu
> 𒍪 zu: know, learn
> knew,
> [and] the insults
> 𒅔 in: abuse, insult
> 𒅔 in
> 𒅔 in: abuse, insult
> [and] the insults
> of the Pregnant[-Lady],
> 𒄩 peš₁₁: swell, pregnant, pregnancy
> 𒄩𒂊 ku₆.e
> 𒄩 ku₆: fish
> of Fish,
> whatever
> 𒀀𒈾 a.na: what?
> 𒀀𒈾 a.na
> 𒀀𒈾 a.na: what?
> whatever
> [she] poured [on her],
> 𒂀 dub₂: heap up, pile, pour
> 𒈬𒉌𒅁𒂀𒁀 mu.ni.ib.dub₂.ba
> 𒂀 dub₂: heap up, pile, pour
> [she] poured [on her],
> [into her] heart
> 𒊮 šag₄: heart, inside
> 𒊮𒂠 šag₄.še₃
> 𒊮 šag₄: heart, inside
> [into her] heart
> [she did] not
> 𒉡 nu: not
> 𒉡 nu
> 𒉡 nu: not
> [she did] not
> [let them] pass.
> 𒁍 gid₂: long, extend, pass along, transfer
> 𒈬𒌦𒁍𒉈 nu.mu.un.gid₂.de₃
> 𒁍 gid₂: long, extend, pass along, transfer
> [let them] pass.

> Bird & Fish 51

#### Bird & Fish 54

> Encrypted: As if the Pregnant-Lady was just a nurse making a cooing sound, to the words and the voice she did not give any attention, despite of the words ugly coming out.

> Official: As if Fish was just a nurse making a cooing sound, to the words and the voice she did not give any attention, despite of the words ugly coming out.

> As if
> 𒄿𒄄𒅔𒍪 i.gi₄.in.zu: as if
> 𒄿𒄄𒅔𒍪 i.gi₄.in.zu
> 𒄿𒄄𒅔𒍪 i.gi₄.in.zu: as if
> As if
> [the Pregnant-Lady was just] a nurse
> 𒌝𒈨 emeda: nursemaid; 𒌝𒈨 eme₂: wet nurse
> 𒌝𒈨𒌝𒈨𒁕 emeda.um.me.da
> 𒌝𒈨 emeda: nursemaid; 𒌝𒈨 eme₂: wet nurse
> [Fish was just] a nurse
> [making] a cooing
> 𒄷𒋛𒀀 u₅.a: soothing expression
> 𒄷𒋛𒀀𒀸 u₅.a.aš
> 𒄷𒋛𒀀 u₅.a: soothing expression
> [making] a cooing
> sound,
> 𒅗 dug₄: speak, talk
> 𒈬𒉌𒅔𒅗 mu.ni.in.dug₄
> 𒅗 dug₄: speak, talk
> sound,
> [to] the words
> 𒅗 inim: word
> 𒅗𒂠 inim.še₃
> 𒅗 inim: word
> [to] the words
> [and] the voice
> 𒄘 gu₂: voice, noise, cry
> 𒄘𒉌 gu₂.ni
> 𒄘 gu₂: voice, noise, cry
> [and] the voice
> [she did] not
> 𒉡 nu: not
> 𒉡 nu
> 𒉡 nu: not
> [she did] not
> give [any attention??],
> 𒋧 šum₂: give
> 𒈬𒈾𒀊𒋧𒈬 nu.mu.na.ab.šum₂.mu
> 𒋧 šum₂: give
> give [any attention??],
> [despite of] the words
> 𒅗 gu₃: voice, noise, cry
> 𒅗 gu₃
> 𒅗 gu₃: voice, noise, cry
> [despite of] the words
> ugly
> 𒅆𒌨 hulu: bad, corrupt, rotten
> 𒅆𒌨 hul
> 𒅆𒌨 hulu: bad, corrupt, rotten
> ugly
> coming out.
> 𒌓𒁺 e₃: go out, come out
> 𒈬𒌦𒋫𒀭𒌓𒁺 mu.un.ta.an.e₃
> 𒌓𒁺 e₃: go out, come out
> coming out.

> Bird & Fish 54

#### Bird & Fish 56

> Encrypted: On that day, the Pleasure-Girl towards the Pregnant-Lady answered: Pregnant-Lady!

> Official: On that day, Bird towards Fish answered: Fish!

> [On that] day,
> 𒌓 ud: day
> 𒌓𒁉𒀀 ud.bi.a
> 𒌓 ud: day
> [On that] day,
> the Pleasure-]Girl
> 𒄷 mušen: girl, young woman, mistress
> 𒄷𒂊 mušen.e
> 𒄷 mušen: bird
> Bird
> [towards the Pregnant[-Lady]
> 𒄩 peš₁₁: swell, pregnant, pregnancy
> 𒄩𒊏 ku₆.ra
> 𒄩 ku₆: fish
> [towards] Fish
> answered:
> 𒄄 gi₄: return, answer
> 𒈬𒈾𒉌𒅁𒄄𒄄 mu.na.ni.ib.gi₄.gi₄
> 𒄄 gi₄: return, answer
> answered:
> Pregnant[-Lady]!
> 𒄩 peš₁₁: swell, pregnant, pregnancy
> 𒄩𒊏 ku₆.ra
> 𒄩 ku₆: fish
> Fish!
> 𒅎--- ---
> --- ---

> Bird & Fish 56

### Pregnant-Lady has become swollen & ugly.

#### Bird & Fish 57

> Encrypted: How can your heart inside be so arrogant, when you have to carry yourself so humbly?

> Official: How can your heart inside be so arrogant, when you have to carry yourself so humbly?

> How
> 𒀀𒁶 a.gin₇: how?
> 𒀀𒁶 a.gin₇
> 𒀀𒁶 a.gin₇: how?
> How
> [can] your heart
> 𒊮 šag₄: heart, inside; 𒍪 zu: your
> 𒊮𒍪 šag₄.zu
> 𒊮 šag₄: heart, inside; 𒍪 zu: your
> [can] your heart
> inside
> 𒊮 šag₄: heart, inside
> 𒊮 šag₄
> 𒊮 šag₄: heart, inside
> inside
> be [so] arrogant,
> 𒆸 gur₄: thick, arrogant
> 𒆸𒊏 gur₄.ra
> 𒆸 gur₄: thick, arrogant
> be [so] arrogant,
> [when you have to] carry
> 𒁺 de₆: carry
> 𒅎𒁺 im.de₆
> 𒁺 de₆: carry
> [when you have to] carry
> yourself
> 𒉎 ni₂: self; 𒍪 zu: your
> 𒉎𒍪 ni₂.zu
> 𒉎 ni₂: self; 𒍪 zu: your
> yourself
> [so] humbly?
> 𒁔 sun₅: humble, haughty
> 𒈬𒂊𒁔𒁔 mu.e.sun₅.sun₅
> 𒁔 sun₅: humble, haughty
> [so] humbly?

> Bird & Fish 57

#### Bird & Fish 58

> Encrypted: Your neck has become like a mound, the swelling of your neck goes around to the back, so that your eye can not look to the side.

> Official: Your mouth is like a mound, your mouth goes around to the back, but your eye can not look to the side.

> Your neck [???]
> 𒅗 gu₃: neck; 𒍪 zu: your
> 𒅗𒍪 ka.zu
> 𒅗 ka: mouth, opening; 𒍪 zu: your
> Your mouth [???]
> [has become like] a mound,
> 𒇯 du₆: mound
> 𒇯𒁮 du₆.dam
> 𒇯 du₆: mound
> [is like] a mound,
> [the swelling of your?] neck [???]
> 𒅗 gu₃: neck
> 𒅗 ka
> 𒅗 ka: mouth, opening
> [your] mouth [???]
> goes around
> 𒆸 nigin₂: encircle, go around
> 𒅎𒋫𒀊𒆸 im.ta.ab.nigin₂
> 𒆸 nigin₂: encircle, go around
> goes around
> [to] the back,
> 𒂕 egir: back, rear
> 𒂕𒍪𒂠 eger.zu.še₃
> 𒂕 egir: back, rear
> [to] the back,
> [so that your] eye
> 𒅆 igi: face, eye
> 𒅆 igi
> 𒅆 igi: face, eye
> [but your] eye
> [can] not
> 𒉡 nu: not
> 𒉡 nu
> 𒉡 nu: not
> [can] not
> [look to?] the side.
> 𒁇 bar: body, skin, back, shoulder
> 𒁇𒊑 nu.bar.re
> 𒁇 bar: set aside, (other) side, outside
> [look to?] the side.

> Bird & Fish 58

#### Bird & Fish 59

> Encrypted: A normal hip you lack, normal limbs you lack. Just try to towards your feet make your neck turn!

> Official: A hip you lack, limbs you lack. Just try to towards your feet make your neck turn!

> A [normal] hip
> 𒉄𒍞 tuhul: hip bone
> 𒉄𒍞 tugul
> 𒉄𒍞 tuhul: hip bone
> A hip
> [you] lack,
> 𒋻 kud: cut, separate
> 𒋻 kud
> 𒋻 kud: cut, separate
> [you] lack,
> [normal] limbs
> 𒀉𒋗𒄊 a₂.šu.giri₃: limbs
> 𒀉𒋗𒄊 a₂.šu.giri₃
> 𒀉𒋗𒄊 a₂.šu.giri₃: limbs
> limbs
> [you] lack.
> 𒋻 kud: cut
> 𒋻 kud
> 𒋻 kud: cut
> [you] lack.
> [Just try to towards your?] feet
> 𒄊 giri₃: foot
> 𒄊𒍪 giri₃.zu
> 𒄊 giri₃: foot
> [Just try to towards your?] feet
> [make your] neck
> 𒄘 gu₂: neck
> 𒄘 gu₂
> 𒄘 gu₂: neck
> [make your] neck
> turn!
> 𒁄 bal: turn, turn over, rotate
> 𒁄𒍪𒂠 bal.zu.še₃
> 𒁄 bal: turn, turn over, rotate
> turn!

> Bird & Fish 59

### Pregnant-Lady sweats & stinks, and has to eat mashed food.

#### Bird & Fish 60

> Encrypted: Your smelly sweating is really not sweet, it makes people vomit when it is fixed on the nose to smell.

> Official: Your smell is really not sweet, it makes people vomit when it is fixed on the nose to smell.

> [Your] smelly sweating
> 𒅕 ir: sweat, exudation
> 𒅕 ir
> 𒅕 ir: smell, scent
> [Your] smell
> [is really] not
> 𒉡 nu: not
> 𒉡 nu
> 𒉡 nu: not
> [is really] not
> sweet,
> 𒄭 dug₃: good, sweet, fresh
> 𒄭𒂵 nu.dug₃.ga
> 𒄭 dug₃: good, sweet, fresh
> sweet,
> [it makes people?] vomit
> 𒀀𒄩𒀭 a.ha.an: vomit
> 𒀀𒄩𒀭 a.ha.an
> 𒀀𒄩𒀭 a.ha.an: vomit
> [it makes people?] vomit
> [when it] is fixed
> 𒆕 du₃: plant, fix
> 𒅆𒆕𒆕 ši.du₃.du₃
> 𒆕 du₃: plant, fix
> [when it] is fixed
> on
> 𒌋𒅗 ugu: on, against, towards
> 𒌋𒅗𒍝 ugu.za
> 𒌋𒅗 ugu: on, against, towards
> on
> the nose
> 𒅗 kiri₃: nose
> 𒅗 giri₁₇
> 𒅗 kiri₃: nose
> the nose
> to smell.
> 𒄯𒄯 ur₅.ur₅: smell
> 𒄯𒄯 ur₅.ur₅
> 𒄯𒄯 ur₅.ur₅: smell
> to smell.

> Bird & Fish 60

#### Bird & Fish 61

> Encrypted: Your food has to be crushed for you, something like that even a trough for cattle would not hold.

> Official: Your food is like crushed things, something like that even a trough for cattle would not hold.

> Your food
> 𒄘 gu₂: eat, feed, food; 𒍪 zu: your
> 𒄘𒀀𒍪 gu₂.a.zu
> 𒄘 gu₂: eat, feed, food; 𒍪 zu: your
> Your food
> [has to be] crushed [for you],
> 𒋛 si: prepare, pound, crush
> 𒋛 si
> 𒋛 si: prepare, pound, crush
> [is like?] crushed [things?],
> [something] like [that]
> 𒁲 sa₂: equal, compare, rival
> 𒁲𒁉 sa₂.bi
> 𒁲 sa₂: equal, compare, rival
> [something] like [that]
> [even] a trough [for cattle]
> 𒄀𒆹 bunig: trough, bucket, jug
> 𒄀𒆹 {gi}bunigx(asug)
> 𒄀𒆹 bunig: trough, bucket, jug
> [even] a trough [for cattle]
> [would] not
> 𒉡 nu: not
> 𒉡 nu
> 𒉡 nu: not
> [would] not
> hold.
> 𒆪 dab₅: take, hold
> 𒌒𒆪𒁉 nu.ub.dab₅.be₂
> 𒆪 dab₅: take, hold
> hold.

> Bird & Fish 61

#### Bird & Fish 62

> Encrypted: Any person who carries you will not let his hand his body touch after that.

> Official: Any person who carries you will not let his hand his body touch after that.

> [Any] person
> 𒇽 lu₂: person
> 𒇽 lu₂
> 𒇽 lu₂: person
> [Any] person
> [who] carries you
> 𒁻 lah₄: bring; 𒁺 de₆: carry; 𒍪 zu: your
> 𒁻𒀀𒍪 lah₄.a.zu
> 𒁻 lah₄: bring; 𒁺 de₆: carry; 𒍪 zu: your
> [who] carries you
> [will not let his] hand
> 𒋗 šu: hand
> 𒋗𒉌 šu.ni
> 𒋗 šu: hand
> [will not let his] hand
> [his] body
> 𒋢 su: flesh, body
> 𒋢𒉌𒂠 su.ni.še₃
> 𒋢 su: flesh, body
> [his] body
> touch [after that].
> 𒋳 tag: touch
> 𒉡𒌒𒋳𒄀 nu.ub.tag.ge
> 𒋳 tag: touch
> touch [after that].

> Bird & Fish 62

### Pregnant-Lady can’t enjoy men’s company, Pleasure-Girl steals all attention.

#### Bird & Fish 63

> Encrypted: Among the admirers magnificent and in the joyful activities of plenty, I am the demon that haunts you.

> Official: In the rivers great and in the marshes wide, I am the demon that haunts you.

> [Among] the admirers
> 𒌓 ud: admiration, admire
> 𒇉 engur
> 𒇉 id₃: river, watercourse, canal
> [In] the rivers
> magnificent
> 𒈤 mah: great, magnificent
> 𒈤 mah
> 𒈤 mah: great, magnificent
> great
> [and in] the joyful [activities]
> 𒋤 sug₄: rejoice
> 𒆹 sug
> 𒆹 sug: reed-bed, marsh
> [and in] the marshes
> of plenty,
> 𒂼 hegal: plenty
> 𒂼𒆷𒁀 dagal.la.ba
> 𒂼 dagal: wide, broad
> wide,
> I
> 𒂷 ge₂₆: I
> 𒂷𒂊 ge₂₆.e
> 𒂷 ge₂₆: I
> I
> [am] the demon [that haunts you].
> 𒋼𒇲 gal₅.la₂: demon
> 𒋼𒇲𒍪𒈨𒂗 gal₅.la₂.zu.me.en
> 𒋼𒇲 gal₅.la₂: demon
> [am] the demon [that haunts you].

> Bird & Fish 63

#### Bird & Fish 64

> Encrypted: The company sweet, you can not enjoy it, as my voice is always near.

> Official: The plants sweet, you can not eat them, as my voice is always near.

> The company
> 𒌑 u₂: ride, accompany, follow
> 𒌑 u₂
> 𒌑 u₂: plant
> The plants
> sweet,
> 𒄭 dug₃: good
> 𒄭𒂵𒁉 dug₃.ga.bi
> 𒄭 dug₃: good
> sweet,
> [you can] not
> 𒉡 nu: not
> 𒉡 nu
> 𒉡 nu: not
> [you can] not
> enjoy [it],
> 𒅥 gu₇: have the usufruct of
> 𒈬𒂊𒅆𒅁𒅥𒂗 nu.mu.e.ši.ib.gu₇.en
> 𒅥 gu₇: eat, consume
> eat [them],
> [as] my voice
> 𒅗 gu₃: voice; 𒈬 gu₁₀: my
> 𒅗𒈬 gu₃.gu₁₀
> 𒅗 gu₃: voice; 𒈬 gu₁₀: my
> [as] my voice
> [is always] near.
> 𒋼𒋼 teg₃.teg₃: near to, approach
> 𒈬𒌦𒋼𒋼 mu.un.te.te
> 𒋼𒋼 teg₃.teg₃: near to, approach
> [is always] near.

> Bird & Fish 64

#### Bird & Fish 65

> Encrypted: Under observation with confidence you dare not roam the streets, as my storm cloud covers you. I see you as among the women you disappear.

> Official: In the river with confidence you dare not roam, as my storm cloud covers you. I see you as among the reeds you disappear.

> [Under] observation
> 𒅆𒂍𒁲 u₆.di: admire, admiration, observe
> 𒀀𒇉𒁕 id₂.da
> 𒀀𒇉 id₂: river, watercourse, canal
> [In] the river
> [with] confidence [?]
> 𒉪𒅅 nir.gal₂: trust, trusted
> 𒉪𒅅𒆷𒁉 nir.gal₂.la.bi
> 𒉪𒅅 nir.gal₂: trust, trusted
> [with] confidence [?]
> [you dare] not
> 𒉡 nu: not
> 𒉡 nu
> 𒉡 nu: not
> [you dare] not
> roam [the streets?],
> 𒁔𒁺𒁺𒁔 du₉{du}.{du}du₉: roam around
> 𒈬𒌦𒁺𒁺 nu.mu.un.du.du
> 𒁔𒁺𒁺𒁔 du₉{du}.{du}du₉: roam around
> roam [?],
> [as my] storm [cloud]
> 𒍇 ulu₃: south wind, demon; 𒌸 uru₁₇: storm; 𒈬 gu₁₀: my
> 𒍇𒇻𒈬 u₁₈.lu.gu₁₀
> 𒍇 ulu₃: south wind, demon; 𒌸 uru₁₇: storm; 𒈬 gu₁₀: my
> [as my] storm [cloud]
> covers [you].
> 𒌋𒌆 dul: cover
> 𒈬𒂊𒌋𒌆𒌋𒌆 mu.e.dul.dul
> 𒌋𒌆 dul: cover
> covers [you].
> [I] see [you]
> 𒅆 igi: face, eye; 𒈬 gu₁₀: my; 𒋫 ta: from, with
> 𒅆𒈬𒋫 igi.gu₁₀.ta
> 𒅆 igi: face, eye; 𒈬 gu₁₀: my; 𒋫 ta: from, with
> [I] see [you]
> [as among] the women
> 𒆠𒋛𒆠 ki.si.ki: young woman
> 𒄑𒄀𒄑𒄀𒀀 {giš}.gi.giš./gi\.[a
> 𒄑𒄀 geš.gi: reed thicket
> [as among] the reeds
> [you] disappear.
> 𒁽 gir₅: slip, glide, slide, disappear
> 𒈬𒌦𒁽𒁽𒊑𒉈𒂗 mu.un.gir₅.gir₅.re.de₃.en
> 𒁽 gir₅: slip, glide, slide, disappear
> [you] disappear.

> Bird & Fish 65

🏷 Sumerian text interlinear · text