Alternative name(s): Assyro-Babylonian

Language family: Afro-Asian

Language Group: Semitic

Geographical use: Mesopotamia (see also below)

Information: Akkadian is an extinct language. It comes from the old region of Akkad and was spoken between the 3rd and 1st century BC. During the Akkadian dynasty and the rule of Sargon (2334 till 2279 BC) the Akkadian language spread from the Mediterranean See to the Persian Gulf. By 2000 BC it had fully pushed off the Sumerian language. Akkadian split into two dialects: Assyrian and Babylonian. This is why the language is sometimes called Assyro-Babylonian.
Akkadian is written with the cuneiform script which consisted of about 600 word and syllable signs. The sound system consisted of 20 consonants and 8 vowels. Akkadian had three cases (nominative, accusative and genitive) and knew two genders.