Sumerian: Debate between Bird & Fish
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 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 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].
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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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].
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 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 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.
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]!
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 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 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--- ---
--- ---
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 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 ka: mouth, opening; 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 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!
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 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 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].
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 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 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.