Greek? Do you speak it?

Hi again.

Can anyone here speak fluent Greek? I've really wanted to study Greek as a language to be fluent in speaking it. Is it difficult to learn compared with other languages such as French and German?

I just have to work a few things out with my advisor, as it is not on the official teaching list.

Cheers!

Matthias said:

Hi again.

Can anyone here speak fluent Greek? I've really wanted to study Greek as a language to be fluent in speaking it. Is it difficult to learn compared with other languages such as French and German?

I just have to work a few things out with my advisor, as it is not on the official teaching list.

Cheers!

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The Spanish phonetics are identical with Greek. But you have to learn a few unique sounds in order to speak Greek. But some people have recommended that I study Spanish -- and it did help my pronunciation of the Greek. I earned an AA in Spanish.

Congrats!

Greek is a very nice language there is a good site about learning modern greek online
http://www.kypros.org/LearnGreek it teaches greek in 105 lessons i am currently in lesson 17

Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!

I can get by in Greek, though I only understand about 50% of what I hear and read, guessing the rest by context. I am terribly lazy by nature and simply have not put in the effort required to become fluent. I recommend you read as much as you are able to and practice writing the little you have learned.

Greek is a very difficult language, but well worth the effort. If you can study classical Greek as well, it will help you to understand why many words are the way they are in modern Greek.

John.

So if one is competent in Classical Greek then learning modern Greek should not present as much of a challenge?

ancient greek is a bit harder to learn. There are not as many valid and quality teaching services as compared to modern greek. If you can learn ancient greek, its a good point on the collage resume.

also, another thing to consider is although you are speaking another language, you are reading and writing new characters. Another tough roadblock. Its tough, but it is fun to learn. I am learning now by using CDs and having like 10,000,000,000 old ladies screaming at me during pashca. All i say is "ven catalaveno Ilinika."

Yours in Christ,
Nick

I can say "koukla." Does that count?

jameseb said:

I can say "koukla." Does that count?

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Add "moro mou" to your short list (as in "YAH-sou mo-RO mou" = "Hiya babe"). It should get a smile from your girlfriend

John.

Alithos Anesti! He is Risen Indeed!

prodromos said:

Add "moro mou" to your short list (as in "YAH-sou mo-RO mou" = "Hiya babe"). It should get a smile from your girlfriend

John.

Alithos Anesti! He is Risen Indeed!

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*grins*

Thanks!

Patristic said:

So if one is competent in Classical Greek then learning modern Greek should not present as much of a challenge?

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It depends. If you learned Classical Greek the way it is often taught in the West then you will have to learn how to pronounce Greek all over again since what is taught is a best guess at how Classical Greek used to be pronounced. ie Beta in Classical Greek is now pronounced Veeta in Modern Greek.

John.

prodromos said:

It depends. If you learned Classical Greek the way it is often taught in the West then you will have to learn how to pronounce Greek all over again since what is taught is a best guess at how Classical Greek used to be pronounced. ie Beta in Classical Greek is now pronounced Veeta in Modern Greek.

John.

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I went through this with my Priest the first month I began attending Divine Liturgy. He informed me that my Western pronounciation could be attributed to Erasmus who had a tremendous influence on Greek learning and syntax in the Western Church. Then he proceeded to re-educate me on how to pronounce certain things like Presbyter became Presvyter and Cherubim became Cheruvim. Every night when I read the NT in Greek I have to consciously make myself stick to the new pronounciatons.

I'm wondering if Andreas can speak Greek, being that he has a very Greek background.