Talk:Elamite language

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[edit] Elamite and Susian

I have come across a number of references to the "Susian" language; are Susian and Elamite synonymous, or is Susian distinct, or does it represent a period of Elamite (i.e. late Elamite)? Tom Radulovich 19:34, 15 July 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Bit about Kurdish

I have removed this bit:

Also the most recently, there have been arguments showing the relationship between Elamite and Kurdish language, an Indo-European language classified among Iranian languages but with different origins [1].

First off, this doesn't make sense: the entire point of a language family is that every language of that family is a descendant of the associated proto-language. Kurdish and Farsi were both once Proto-Iranian, just as Kurdish and English were both once proto-Indo-European. So no "different origins" are possible. If the writer meant to argue that Kurdish is an Iranian language built upon an Elamite linguistic substrate, well fine, but that needs to be expressed and to be credibly sourced.

Which brings me to the next point: the site cited does not appear notable and looks like the work of one person with an agenda. The crankish rant about being ignored by the academic establishment is an immediate yellow flag. Later, the author explicitly rejects the characterization of Kurdish as a Iranian language, which is completely absurd. --Saforrest 05:54, 14 May 2006 (UTC)

I don't see how being ignored by the academic establishment is a "yellow flag". Perhaps the academic establishment has an agenda, and regarding Kurds in any way, that is very likely.
I'd really like the source to comment on this... Perhaps I can get him to. Which brings me to my next point - I am sick and tired of people disregarding sources because they do not have some establishment supporting them - the site does not look notable? What did you expect? A flash presentation? This is clearly an independent researcher who is having a hard time being heard, much like many others, but has recently (finally) attracted some interest in his work. I think your stating the site does not look notable, or that the source has an agenda is very judgemental.
—The preceding unsigned comment was added by 211.27.252.129 (talk • contribs) 11:39, 4 June 2006 (UTC).

[edit] McAlpin, Blažek, Starostin

I corrected and added some information. For example, the article wasn't written by Sergei Starostin, but George Starostin, his son. Please, feel free to correct my English, as I'm not a native speaker. :) Thanks in advance. P. 04:43, 4 June 2006 213.168.173.197

[edit] Old Elamite or Linear-Elamite

There is no definitive proof that linear-Elamite was a syllabary or that it was used to write Elamite. I therefore suggest to call the writing system linear-Elamite (in accordance with tradition), and not Old Elamite. I will write a brief entry on linear-Elamite and link from here. Jacob Dahl, 20060604

[edit] Elamite Numerals?

Any information on Elamite Numerals? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 213.168.173.197 (talk • contribs) 13:07, 2 February 2007 (UTC).

[edit] "Official language"

There needs to be an explanation why it was adopted as an "official language" (?) by the Achaemenids. --Ghirla-трёп- 21:09, 1 July 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Paucity of Information

The corresponding article in the German-language Wikipedia (Elamische Sprache)is much, much richer in information than this article. Those who feel strongly about making Elamite better known to the larger public might want to translate the German article into English. In any case, let this talk item be a directive to the German page. Jakob37 (talk) 03:27, 1 January 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Elamite and Tamil; Relationship?

I have never forgotten my former Persian professor (UCLA) Don Stilo's remarks in class one day in 1974 or 5 about Elamite being related to the Dravidian languages. I wonder if anyone feels it worthy to note that the separatist Tamil groups currently fighting in Sri Lanka refer to themselves as the "Tigers of Elam"? Perhaps there is a connection between Elamite and Tamil. I am not in the linguistics field, but I thought it worthy to at least make a comment. Hats off to everyone for their thoughtful and critical efforts on here. Daniel Sparkman (talk) 21:41, 16 May 2008 (UTC)

The proposed Elamite-Dravidian relationship is discussed in the article. (Tamil is a Dravidian language.) Eelam is the Tamil form of Lanka. --JWB (talk) 21:50, 16 May 2008 (UTC)