How to Study Greek
Learn the Greek alphabet and the pronunciation of each letter., Emphasis: a mark is written over every vowel that is emphasized., Iota subscript: a small ι may be written under the letter α, η, ω when one of these letters ends a word.
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Learn the Greek alphabet and the pronunciation of each letter.
In Greek language, there can be no wrong pronunciation if you know how to pronounce the individual letters correctly: each Greek letter has one and only one pronunciation, except for some limited combinations of letters who are paired (see below) and give a different pronunciation.
So in greek, putting random letters together can very well produce a pronounceable word, albeit it being a nonsensical word (just like above).
Greek diphthongs (two letters that are pronounced as a single sound).
There is a symbol for the separation of these letters to sound like individuals.
The symbol is ¨ (διαλυτικά) and the second letter goes between the dots.
Diphthongs and examles of ¨ are as follows: αι as e in "left".
On the other hand, αϊ is pronounced "α-ee" (α ι) ει as i in "quit".
On the other hand, εϊ is pronounced "e-ee" (ε ι) οι also as i in "quit". οϊ is pronounced o-ee (ο ι) αυ as af in "after" or "av" in "aviator"
depending on the word. αϊ is pronounced α-ee (α υ) ευ as ef in "left" or "ev" in "evolution" depending on the word. εϋ is pronounced e-ee (ε υ) ου as oo in "loose". οϋ is pronounced o-ee (ο υ) -
Step 2: Emphasis: a mark is written over every vowel that is emphasized.
The mark ' (called tonos
- τόνος) written over a vowel and makes it stand out in the word, for example if "evolution" was a Greek word, a ' would be written over u (evolUtion).
In "American"
over e (amErican).
In "University" over e (univErsity) etc.
So the word "αεροπλάνο" is pronounced "aeroplAno".
You emphasize the a.
If a word has only 1 vowel, there is no need for the ' mark. , This is a relic of an ancient diphthong and is not pronounced, but must be written. -
Step 3: Iota subscript: a small ι may be written under the letter α
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Step 4: ω when one of these letters ends a word.
Detailed Guide
In Greek language, there can be no wrong pronunciation if you know how to pronounce the individual letters correctly: each Greek letter has one and only one pronunciation, except for some limited combinations of letters who are paired (see below) and give a different pronunciation.
So in greek, putting random letters together can very well produce a pronounceable word, albeit it being a nonsensical word (just like above).
Greek diphthongs (two letters that are pronounced as a single sound).
There is a symbol for the separation of these letters to sound like individuals.
The symbol is ¨ (διαλυτικά) and the second letter goes between the dots.
Diphthongs and examles of ¨ are as follows: αι as e in "left".
On the other hand, αϊ is pronounced "α-ee" (α ι) ει as i in "quit".
On the other hand, εϊ is pronounced "e-ee" (ε ι) οι also as i in "quit". οϊ is pronounced o-ee (ο ι) αυ as af in "after" or "av" in "aviator"
depending on the word. αϊ is pronounced α-ee (α υ) ευ as ef in "left" or "ev" in "evolution" depending on the word. εϋ is pronounced e-ee (ε υ) ου as oo in "loose". οϋ is pronounced o-ee (ο υ)
The mark ' (called tonos
- τόνος) written over a vowel and makes it stand out in the word, for example if "evolution" was a Greek word, a ' would be written over u (evolUtion).
In "American"
over e (amErican).
In "University" over e (univErsity) etc.
So the word "αεροπλάνο" is pronounced "aeroplAno".
You emphasize the a.
If a word has only 1 vowel, there is no need for the ' mark. , This is a relic of an ancient diphthong and is not pronounced, but must be written.
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Jason Reyes
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