How to Learn Greek

Today it is estimated that there are between 12-13 million native Greek speakers predominantly located in Greece and Cyprus. There is also a large collection of Greek speakers located in Russia, Romania, Canada, Bulgaria, and the United States of America. Many Greeks do not expect foreigners to learn their language, and they will prove to be very appreciative of the effort of any foreigner attempting to communicate in their native tongue.

Native to Southern Balkans, Greek has the longest documented history of any Indo-European language, dating back more than 3400 years. While the language has changed slightly over time, the Greek language continues to possess the vocabulary and grammatical rules of Ancient Greece.

One major selling point for many people aspiring to learn Greek is to develop an understanding of Ancient Greece. From Plato to Aristotle to Homer, some of the most influential philosophers and story tellers in history originally preserved their work in Greek. The advanced civilization of Ancient Greece brought nations together to compete in the first Olympics in Athens, and they are credited with creating the form of government known today as a republic. The advanced Greek civilization has either directly or indirectly impacted every civilization in the world today. Another interesting fact that provides many with incentive to learn Greek is that Koiné Greek was the original language in which the New Testament of the Christian Bible was written.

For less educational purposes, Greece is a dream vacation for any world traveler. Ancient ruins, a colorful night life, and the beautiful beaches that can only be found on the coast of the Mediterranean make Greece a very popular tourist spot. With the current struggle of Greece’s economy, now may be the best opportunity you will have to learn Greek and experience your ultimate dream vacation at a reasonably affordable price.

Greek is considered by scholars to be a relatively simple language for native English speakers for many reasons. Not only is the alphabet similar, but much of the English language is derived from Greek roots. Approximately 12% of the vocabulary in the English language is derived from Greek origin. With the help of interactive language learning software, such as Rosetta Stone, learning Greek could open up your world to new ideas in terms of religion and philosophy.

Understanding ancient philosophy and the history of most of the world’s major governments is the most influential selling point to anyone considering learning Greek. There are few languages with that show such strong potential to expand your outlook on humanity. This is an upper class, elegant language which is closely associated with sophistication. This ancient language is an excellent stepping stone for anyone looking to learn multiple European languages.