#modern Greek

[gemsofgreece]

The Ancient Greek word for ship was ναῦς. The word is borderline obsolete in Modern Greek, except the majority of seafaring terms actually derive from it.

For example,

ναύτης (náftis) = sailor

ναυτικό (naftikó) = navy <- that’s where the English word originates too

ναυπηγείο (nafpiyío) = shipyard

ναύλα (návla) = ticket for a mode of transportation, especially ships

The common Modern Greek terms for ship are πλοίο (plío) and καράβι (karávi).

Πλοίο comes from the verb πλέω (pléo) which means “float and sail” and it is also etymologically Greek.

I mostly make this post for καράβι which I was convinced to this day that it was a loanword, perhaps from Turkish or Latin.

Today I learned that καράβι too is etymologically Greek, from Koine Greek καράβιον (karávion), from Ancient Greek κάραβος (kárabhos) which meant “prawn”.

A little stupid of me because even the modern Greek word for prawn is καραβίς (karavís) or more commonly now καραβίδα (karavíða) but somehow I never made the connection.

So once again Greeks had the exact word for ship but at some point in time they went nah fook that from now on we gonna call ships

✨Prawn-ions✨

[studywithjennifer]

starting a new language and beginning again from scratch with grammar is always weird, but exciting too.

notes on modern greek articles in the nominative case - 17/06/2023

[didoofcarthage]

When they saw Patroklos dead –so brave and strong, so young– the horses of Achilles began to weep; their immortal nature was upset deeply by this work of death they had to look at. They reared their heads, tossed their long manes, beat the ground with their hooves, and mourned Patroklos, seeing him lifeless, destroyed, now mere flesh only, his spirit gone, defenseless, without breath, turned back from life to the great Nothingness.

C.P. Cavafy, “The Horses of Achilles,” from Collected Poems (translated by Edmund Keeley and Philip Sherrard)

[renegade-hierophant]

Ancient Attic Greek and Modern Greek pronunciation

International Phonetic Alphabet with audio:

Site 1 (several large charts with lots of audio)

Site 2 (simple traditional chart)

[librarydeyo]

I went to my local library to check out a few language learning audiobooks to listen to during my hour commute to school the other day. I went specifically for the German one, I get it, then I get home and look down at the audiobook, and see that I PICKED UP MODERN GREEK INSTEAD.

the matrix glitched that day

[xelidonia]

In honor of Greek Independence Day, here's a conversation that I overheard my grandmother (your average pita-baking, Saints-praising, extremely-devout-Orthodox Greek Yiayia) having over the phone with her cousin:

Yiayia: "...marriage for homosexuals???"

(At this point I start paying attention.)

Yiayia: "But there's always been gays around. And lesbians. Even in the old times."

Guy on the other end of the phone: annoyed arguing

Yiayia: "Yes! Even in back in my village, we had lesbians. Two of them, "male-females" [αρσενοθήλυκες]. One of them was named Marlena, and her mother was our neighbor growing up. A good family! After the earthquake [of 1953], she and her wife moved to Athens. The rest of the family..."

Guy on phone: homophobic old man noises

Yiayia: "Saint Paul doesn't like it? Saint Paul doesn't even like normal marriage! He says all sorts of things, that Saint Paul... Tell me, have you ever read the New Testament in Modern Greek? My daughter got me a copy, with everything modern, and I read it every day, and I understand so much more now. You should try reading the New Testament in Modern Greek sometime. It might help."

[langblrofsorts]

Dog speech in modern greek, english and spanish

In english, dogs bark. The verb "to bark" comes from a germanic root (by the way, it's not the same root as the bark of a tree). And them dogs go "woof". And that's fine, woof resembles a sound a dog would make.

In spanish, dogs ladran. The verb ladrar comes from latin latrare, with the same meaning. The thing is, in spanish, dogs go "guau". Well, it may not be much in writing, but if you listen how the spaniards pronounce it, it's pretty close! (You can hear it in this video, in 4:52).

And then, we have modern greek. So, in modern greek, dogs γαβγίζουν. And that's because in greek, dogs go "γαβ". As a native speaker, I acknowledge that γαβ doesn't resemble a dog's bark but that's what we use, anyway. So, get used to it :)

So, we got the γαβ sound, we added the common verb ending -ίζω and we came up with verb γαβγίζω. You can hear me go γαβ in the mp3 file at the end of the post.

And here's how to form all tenses of the verb in the first person singular.

Το these, I would add two forms of conditional. Θα γάβγισα (= I must have barked) and θα γάβγιζα (= I would have been barking).

Oh, and there's the word for the bark itself, which is γάβγισμα.

In the mp3 file, you can hear me pronounce γαβ, γάβγισμα and also read the greek in the table above.

You can now bark succesfully in modern greek.

[kelseythelinguist]

The following movies and series are great for language learners in that they are mostly in Greek and offer English or Greek subtitles—sometimes both. There are several genres listed, but most are dramas. Many are hosted on Ertflix, which is free. So they are accessible to anyone with an internet connection. Plus, they have a Greek Film Archive, mostly in Greek, without any subtitles, but it’s helpful. 

They may not necessarily be on a list of “best Greek movies,” but they are entertaining and easy to follow. 

[sebslanguageblog]

Βεβαίως - Of course Διακοπές - Vacation Καινούριο - New Διαβατήριο - Passport Άρρωστος - Sick/ill Χώρος - Space Κράτηση - Reservation Ψιθυρίζω - Whisper (verb) Ψίθυρος - Whisper (noun) Πεινάω - I’m hungry Κόκορας - Rooster Ανεβασμένος - Elevated, raised Καρύδα - Coconut

[lios-archive]

helloooooo does anyone know if there are any decent modern greek exercise books you would recommend? Possibly in English or Italian? Thank you I'm kissing you all on the head 🙏🏼

[cilginfillermigoruyorumne]

someone, anyone, for the love of god, recommend a greek sitcom with english subs! i need greek content so bad.

[gemsofgreece]

Origins of Modern Greek folk sayings

NOTE: By "origins" here I do not mean absolute exact origin as this would be impossible to know. It rather signifies the likely first documented usage of the saying in the Greek literary heritage.

Ένα χελιδόνι (ή ένας κούκος) δεν φέρνει την άνοιξη. Meaning: A single swallow (or a single cuckoo) does not bring the spring. This is where the english idiom "one swallow does not a summer make" come from as well. Origin: Μία χελιδὼν ἔαρ οὐ ποιεἶ ( A single swallow does not create the spring) - Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle (384 - 322 BC). Aristotle said this phrase inspired by one of Aesop's tales (620 - 564 BC).

Το ένα χέρι νίβει το άλλο. Meaning: Each hand washes the other. It exists in English as well as in other languages, spread through Latin "Manus manam lavat". Origin: ἁ δὲ χεὶρ τὰν χεῖρα νίζει - Epicharmus, 5th century BC.

Ό,τι σπείρεις θα θερίσεις. Meaning: You will reap what you sow. Widespread proverb. Origin: Εί κακά τις σπείραι κακά κέρδια αμήσειν (If one sows bad things, he will reap bad things) - Hesiod (~ 750 - 650 BC).

Κάλλιο να σε ζηλεύουνε παρά να σε λυπούνται Meaning: It's better to be envied than to be pitied by others. Origin: κρέσσον γὰρ οἰκτιρμοῦ φθόνος (for envy is better than pity) - Pindar, (~ 518 –  438 BC).

Έπαθε και έμαθε Meaning: He suffered so he learned Origin: τὸν πάθει μάθος (the suffering becomes a lesson) - Aeschylus (~ 525 - 455 BC)

Μη με συγχίζεις Meaning: Don't confound me, meaning "don't make me upset" Origin: μή μοι σύγχει - Homer (8th century BC)

Μη με σκοτίζεις Meaning: "Don't put me in the dark" meaning "don't annoy / bother me" Origin: Αποσκότησον με ("Get me out of the dark" AKA the notorious "Don't hide the sun and gtfo" line) - Diogenes to Alexander the Great

βίος αβίωτος Meaning: "Unlivable life", unbearable life Origin: Ἀβίωτον ζῶμεν βίον (We live an unlivable life) - Philemon (362 BC – c. 262 BC)

Ἐχει και του πουλιού το γάλα Meaning: "It even has the bird's milk" meaning it has anything you can imagine Origin: δώσομεν ὑμῖν γάλα τ᾽ ὀρνίθων (We will give you even the milk of birds / hens) - Aristophanes (446 - 386 BC)

Άει στον κόρακα Meaning: Go to the crow, an equivalent of "go to hell" Origin: ἔρρʼ ἐς κόρακας! (go to the crows) - standard phrase, frequently used by Aristophanes

Κάθε αρχή και δύσκολη Meaning: Every beginning is also difficult Origin: Αρχή δήπου παντός έργου χαλεπωτέρα (the beginning of every project is the hardest) - ancient saying

Η αλήθεια είναι πικρή Meaning: Truth is bitter Origin: ἔχει τι πικρὸν ὁ τῆς ἀληθείας λόγος (there is something bitter in the words of truth) - Demades (380 - 318 BC)

Η αλήθεια δεν κρύβεται Meaning: Truth cannot be hidden Origin: Ἀδύνατον τ' ἀληθές λαθεῖν (It is impossible to hide the true thing) - Menander (342 - 291 BC)

Φοβάται και την σκιά του Meaning: He's even afraid of his shadow (used when someone is afraid all the time) Origin: τὴν αὐτοῦ σκιὰν δέδοικεν (he's afraid of his own shadow) - Aristophanes (446 - 386 BC)

Καμιά δουλειά δεν είναι ντροπή Meaning: No job is shameful Origin: Έργον δ' ουδέν όνειδος - Hesiod (~ 750 - 650 BC)

Χτίζεις στην άμμο Meaning: You build in the sand, meaning you're doing something pointless, that will be ruined or over very soon. Origin: Εἰς ψάμμον οἰκοδομεῖς - Plutarch (46 - 119 AD)

[studywithjennifer]

modern greek verb conjugation aka distant screaming - 19/06/2023

[falseandrealultravival]

Real esperanto

In a dream, someone wrote sloppy English, I saw a card that said it was Esperanto. Well, yes, English is real Esperanto. most popular in the world, In its swiftness, perfection and cruelty, There is no language to the right.

Once upon a time an Englishman "You speak fluent English." He was told by a certain person, "Yes, I speak modern Greek." he replied. This would be true.

Babylman

本当のエスペラント

夢で、誰かがいいかげんな英語を書き、 エスペラントだとしたカードを見た。 まあ、たしかに、英語は実際のエスペラントだ。 世界でもっとも普及し、 その迅速性、完璧性、残酷性において、 右に出る言語はない。

むかしあるイギリス人が 「あなたは、流暢な英語を話されますね」 とある人に言われて、 「はい、私は現代ギリシャ語をしゃべっているのです」 と彼は答えた。 これは、事実であろう。

[milkyouija]

bad language habits

currently working on my speaking skills and phonemic accuracy for mandarian chinese when i should be doing it for greek instead 😅it is so fun though.... i should find a reason to be motivated towards learning greek.

[gemsofgreece]

Great post! I thought it might be informative or interesting to add how the words and their meanings involved in Modern Greek:

Μέλας still means black, but it is not the most common word for the colour. Its derivatives are far more common, like μελανός (adjective for black, dark, bleak, both literally and figuratively) , μελάνι (ink), μελαχρινός (brunette) and μελαμψός (of dark complexion).

��ευκός retains its exact meanings of white, bright and clear.

Χλωρός retains its meaning of fresh and blooming for plants and liquids. It is not used as a description for colour or people anymore and that is because of its parallel evolution and mixing with the word φλομός, which led to the creation of the word χλωμός, which is now the one that means pale, pallid and sickly yellow.

Πορφυρός now is used both for a rich purple and a purplish rich red. It is not commonly used in everyday speech.

Ξανθός remains the word for blonde. It is rarely used beyond the concept of haircolour (both for people and animals).

Ερυθρός is the word for bright red, orange red, vermillion red. However, it is not the most common word for red but it is the standard word for red in scientific, academic speech!

Γλαυκός retains the meaning of bright, gleaming, but it is nowadays mostly used in poetry.

And now let’s go to the special κυανός (from the ancient κυάνεος). If you google the word, you get this

Which apparently is a dude whose surname is Κυανός, however if you google specifically about the colour shade next, well it means cyan blue, like that bright, relatively light shade of blue with a hint of green.

ancient greek words for colors:

On the whole, the Greeks were not really concerned with giving names to specific colors. Their color terms were vague, often had more to do with shade than color difference, and drew in a sort of dynamic physicality that is honestly incredibly interesting.

μέλας and λευκός, which were commonly used to refer to black and white respectively, were still more involved with shade than the particular colors that we perceive as black and white. μέλας also meant dark, murky, and swarthy. λευκός was light, bright and clear, referred to any white color from a pure white to a light grey, and could also refer to someone with lighter skin.

χλωρός meant pale green or greenish yellow, but also commonly meant pale or pallid when referring to people and fresh or blooming when referring to plants and liquids (including blood and tears).

πορφύρεος is where we get the color term purple. And when it was referring to clothes or things, it did mean purple. But when it was describing people, especially their complexions, it meant bright red or flushed. This definition originates from the basic meaning of the word: heaving, surging, gushing, coming from the verb πορφύρω.

ξανθός and ἐρυθρός are perhaps the only straightforward terms, meaning yellow or golden and red respectively. ξανθός was typically used to describe blonde (ish) people; Achilles is described as having ξανθή κόμη (golden hair).

γλαυκός was commonly used to refer to the color grey, or simply to describe something as gleaming. When it refers to eyes, it usually describes the color; the most famous example being Athena and her epithet of γλαυκῶπις or grey-eyed (or gleaming eyed).

And now let's talk about κυάνεος. We get the color term cyan from it, and the word is popularly considered to refer to a dark blue. But that isn't exactly accurate. If we look at what this word typically described: hair, people, etc., it is clear that the concept of blue that we have nowadays wasn’t really coming into play. In fact, the more general translation is dark or black, conveying a shade rather than a color, like μέλας. If I were to attribute a color term to this word at all, I would probably say blue-black, or a cool black, to convey the depth of that shade, which is probably what the Greeks were describing.