[B-Greek] new guy, first question

Carl W.Conrad cwconrad at ioa.com
Sat Apr 23 08:49:31 EDT 2005


But, as I've stated for my own opinion previously, several features of 
Modern Greek that are different from Attic are not uncommonly evident 
in GNT texts. One such feature is obvious: the use of -A endings in 
tenses which were once exclusively thematic; another is the substantive 
usage of hINA + subj. clauses. So, while it may certainly be said that 
Modern Greek is a different language from the Koine, both forms clearly 
belong to an ongoing diachronic development of one Indo-European 
language. I don't mean to start an argument here, simply to reiterate 
one of my recurrent quibbles.

On Apr 23, 2005, at 8:23 AM, Barry Hofstetter wrote:

>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Kevin, Goleta Sign & Banner" 
> <kevin at goletagraphics.com>
> To: <b-greek at lists.ibiblio.org>
> Sent: Saturday, April 23, 2005 2:43 AM
> Subject: [B-Greek] new guy, first question
>
>
>>> My question has to do with the grammer.  Should I ignore modern 
>>> greek grammers
> and just focus on using something standard like Mounce, while using my 
> preferred
> pronunciation, or should I learn BOTH the modern grammer and the koine 
> grammer?
>
> For Bible study I dont really see a compelling reason to learn the 
> modern grammer just
> because Im using modern pronunciation (unless the modern grammer and 
> koine grammer
> are so similar that it is not going to be a big leap between the 
> two).<<
>
> There are enough differences between ancient and modern Greek that you 
> should learn them separately (just as you would need special 
> instruction to read Chaucer or Beowulf despite your evident knowledge 
> of modern English).  Once you've gained reading proficiency in 
> ancient, you will find very little trouble in reading Katharevousa as 
> long as you have a good lexicon handy and learn the grammatical 
> differences.  Demotike, which makes no attempt to imitate ancient 
> Greek, is much more of a challenge, and will require quite a bit more 
> work on your part.
>
> N.E. Barry Hofstetter
> Adjunct Faculty, The Center for Urban Theological Studies
>         Philadelphia, PA
> http://www.cuts.edu
> Visiting Faculty, Reformed Theological Seminary
>         Washington, D.C.
> http://www.rts.edu/campuses/washington_dc/index.cfm
>
> And me:
> http://mysite.verizon.net/nebarry/
>
> Opinions expressed by author of this message do not necessarily 
> reflect the opinions of the institutions listed above...
>
>
> ---
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>

Carl W. Conrad
Department of Classics, Washington University (Emeritus)
1989 Grindstaff Road/Burnsville, NC 28714/(828) 675-4243
cwconrad at ioa.com
WWW: http://www.ioa.com/~cwconrad/




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