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Learning greek

gingerbop

19:13 / 22.05.03

Has anyone leant greek -or any other particuarly difficult seeming language- and if you have, how did you do it; with books on your own, or in classes?

I have about two months, before i go to work out there-hopefully. I dont need to be good, id just like to be less of a spoon.
GBop xx

ONLY NICE THINGS

19:30 / 22.05.03

Oh, you mean themotiki. Don't worry - it's actually not that hard once you've got the hang of the alphabet. If you're pressed for time, classes are probably the best thing to do, if you can get them. Otherwise language course - I'd suggest something with a spoken element, because the one thing that is pretty wacky about themotiki is the pronunciation, which is highly counterintuitive.

Cosmicjamas

20:41 / 22.05.03

The other day I was waiting for a bus (story of my life!) and heard two older ladies chattering away in Greek. I thought it was a beautiful sounding language (as opposed to some others that can sound a bit gutteral, or a bit shouty!) and how nice it would be to learn it. So good on you!

The next day I was in the charity shop and on the top shelf next to the videos was - a Learn Modern Colloquial Greek language course, with tapes, books, the lot! I was very tempted but then decided I'd never have time to persue it. If you're interested, Gingerbop, I can go in tomorrow and see if it is still for sale?

sTe

00:08 / 23.05.03

Just "ferret stoat" wherever you go and you'll get by fine.

Unless that is you really want to make conversation with anyone, then you'll have to go the whole shabang. I've personally found that a simple thank-you, and perhaps hello, has served me well throughout Europe (having said that you can't be sure whether the strange bearded fellow is being genuinelly nice or just slagging you off with a friendly sounding pitch)

You do know there's over eight hundred and thirty eight different letters of the greek alphabet don't you? or thereabouts, (might be 38, or I could just be guessing wildly, still it's a challange that makes Spanish seem Scotch, good luck to you!)

ONLY NICE THINGS

00:11 / 23.05.03

Try 24. a slimline two fewer than English, and as such a little over 7% easier.

rakehell

00:43 / 23.05.03

This is the first time I've ever heard Greek described as not shouty.

sTe

13:59 / 23.05.03

crikey really is only 24 letters! Think I must have been overly confused by a few different looking capital letters - O the shame

whereabouts are you planning to go GingerB mainland/islands or both?

Sax

14:05 / 23.05.03

I did a course of night classes in Greek a few years ago. No real reason other than I was walking past the college and decided to go in and sign up for the first think that took my fancy.

Haus is right when he says do a course with a spoken element - it is a lot easier to pick up orally/aurally. I had a basic conversational ability, but since I've never been to Greece since doing the course haven't had much use for it.

But it was fun and different.

Bill Posters

14:10 / 23.05.03

Y'know, I heard that the Greek language has over fourty different words for 'kebab' but no word for 'love'.

that

17:23 / 23.05.03

I briefly tried learning ancient Greek with the OU. I gave up after a month or so (because the alphabet did my head in, though I loved writing out the letters), and as Haus rightly said to me at the time, it took the ancient Greeks longer than that to learn the language...

gingerbop

18:07 / 23.05.03

Im going to Skiathos island.
So far i have hello, thank-you type stuff, as well as (my useful phrase book):

Stavros, Pou ini to psi-io soo?
=where is your fridge, stavros?

Fra-oules, sas parakola.
Strawberries please.

Pi ola gos na pee nero, soo lazarako tu le mo!
=the hare has drunk water from lazaros' throat (hes my nephew)

Read and learn, children.
xx

ONLY NICE THINGS

22:31 / 23.05.03

Bil - you're wrong. But you knew that. try "then katalavehno", but with a soft "th" - like "dd" in welsh.

sTe

22:50 / 23.05.03

Lamb Kleftico (wrong spelling sorry) and Beef Stifado(?maybe) are also good phrases, although apologies if your a veggie, there's also a nice stuffed peppers dish but I cannot remember the name...someone may?

gingerbop

12:58 / 24.05.03

I am indeed veggie (as seems to be most of barbelith, going by the 'making a difference' thread. I also dislike vegetables, but will force myself to like them.

I hope to get a job that i can keep the whole year, cause i suddenly really dont wanna go to university this september. Havent told my parents yet tho... they'll flip! Hopefully less if i get some greek learnt before i go. Will start with the "instant greek" book today.

gingerbop

19:22 / 27.05.03

Good lord. Its quite difficult, even with a book written phonetically. I had been told it would be easier to learn if i went straight from learning one language to another, because of thinking in that way (i think i know what they mean), but the trouble is, im constantly thinking in german.

And yes: trying to think of something iv learnt, but its pretty much the same as my previous useful phrasebook. Oh well. The struggle continues.

Gary Lactus

13:47 / 28.05.03

Just shout at the geasy sheep eaters.

grant

13:58 / 28.05.03

See if you can find Pimsleur CDs on eBay.
They're good.

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