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Speaking the Language
If
you are living or working here it would be helpful to speak some Greek. English
is widely spoken in the tourist resorts and shops however in the winter and even
in the summer you may be using shops and services that holiday makers will not
frequent, therefore English is quite often not understood. The locals will
also appreciate you at least trying to speak it so don't worry about getting
words wrong. Greek lessons are available look out for adverts in the local
newspaper, shop windows and ask other English residents, some will have been
here a very long time and speak very good Greek. Lessons have also recently been
advertised on our local radio station (Updated
November 2007)
We would recommend you learn
the Greek alphabet it is an excellent way to start.
Watch television, adverts are great
for getting some simple words.
Films are good as they are quite
often in English with Greek sub titles.
Look at the Greek translations on
maps and road signs it gives an idea of the sound of the letters.
Gen up on your English Grammar, if
you are serious about learning Greek properly then a good knowledge of grammar
will help. The Greek language has more verbs and tenses than any other
language.
So how are we doing I hear you
ask. Struggling but enjoying the struggle, I think that about sums it
up. We will probably never be brilliant but hopefully we will be able to
communicate a little although I think we may possibly understand more than we
will be able to speak.
A few words of Greek below to get
you going:
THE GREEK ALPHABET
Αα alfa
Ηη ita
Νν ni
Ττ taf
Ββ
vita
Θθ thita
Ξξ
xi
Υυ ipsilon
Γγ gama
Ι ι yiota
Οο omikron Φφ
fi
Δδ thelta
Κκ kapa
Ππ
pi
Χχ hi
Εε
epsilon Λλ
lamtha Ρρ
ro
Ψψ psi
Ζζ zita
Μμ
mi
Σσς sigma
Ωω omega
1
ένα (neutral
)
6 έξι
2 δύο
7 επτά
3 τρία
(neutral)
8 οκτώ
4 τέσσαρα
(neutral)
9 εννέα
5 πέντα
10 δέκα
παρακαλώ
please
ευχαριστώ
thank you
γεία
σας
hello or goodbye (formal or to more than one person)
γεία σου
hello or goodbye (informal)
ναι
yes
οχι
no
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