 | Greek Cypriot Language |
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Hey, does anyone know whether the lessons on this site and in most phrase/text books are similar to the Greek Cypriot language. I know they are mainly based on the Modern Greek language in Greece (formal) and wondered what the main differences and similarities are between them is (Greece Greek and Cyprus Greek language)? Thank you, Jenny  |
| Re: Greek Cypriot Language |
| There is a slight difference between the two. My family are greek cypriot and it is sometimes hard to understand people in Greece as their words are some what different to cypriot |
| Re: Greek Cypriot Language |
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I think all lessons are based on Standard Modern Greek. You have to learn it that way if you plan on using books, etc. If you learn Greek well, you will have no trouble adapting to Cypriot Greek if you are exposed to it for a while. That is, it's not that different (mostly pronunciation and some vocab) that it merits learning Cypriot Greek as separate (as it would be for learning Egyptian Arabic instead of Modern Standard Arabic or something). This is just my opinion... |
| Απάντηση: Greek Cypriot Language |
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Cyrpiot is not actually a WRITTEN LANGUAGE. so, I will explain some differences between them in Greece we say: Esu Agapas In Cyprus they say: Esouni Agapaeis. NOT TOO DIFFERENT. |
| Re: Απάντηση: Greek Cypriot Language |
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Cypriot Greek is not a language,it is a Greek dialect.The Cypriot dialect itself is divided into other subgroups,and it is not spoken the same way all over the island,but has regional differences.The most prominent regional Cypriot dialects are those of Paphos,Kokkinochoria,Mountain areas,Nicosia,and Morphou. Almost nobody uses the word esouni anymore but the standard Greek esi. In Greek Cypriot we never say agapaeis,we say agapas. |
| Re: Greek Cypriot Language |
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You can also think of Cypriot Greek as somewhat of a dialect of that spoken in Greece. In some ways it is similar to differences you might find between Northern Englanders-Londoners, Canadians/Americans in the Southern States, or other places such as these. Several Cypriots have described their language to me as being more "village-like" than what's spoken in Greece. I was only made aware of a few differences (such as Greeks sounding out "Oxi", versus Cypriots commonly speaking it to sound like "Oi"), but I suppose I'll notice more as I continue to learn. Does anyone else agree or disagree with what I said? |
| Re: Greek Cypriot Language |
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Here is some information on it that looks pretty accurate from what I know: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cypriot_Greek Cypriots pronounce "x" like "s" or "sh", so it sounds like "oshi" Also, "k" is like "ch", so they say "chai" for "and." They do this is Crete, too. People say "o-che" (for okay in Crete, to be cute, but it's based on the dialect). Also, word order. "(He) told me" in cypriot is "Είπεν μου" instead of standard modern Greek "μου είπε" (got this from wikipedia, but it's right). Also: The verb is: ένι and εν is used instead of είναι (Modern Greek).(e.g. εν καλά = είναι καλά "she is well"). Also, εν is can be like the Standard Greek δεν, in front of a verb (e.g. εν πειράζει = δεν πειράζει "it doesn't matter"), |
| Re: Greek Cypriot Language |
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I live in Cyprus and have been trying to compile a list of Cypriot Dialect words as opposed to Greek, here's what I've found so far, can anyone add to it? Word in Cypriot (Greek Lettering)/ Word in English/ Origins/ Meaning |
