[B-Greek] B-Greek pronunciation

Curtis Hinson curtis at curtishinson.com
Fri Jan 6 08:43:02 EST 2006


GEIA SAS FILOI MOU   Γεια σας φιλοι μου

The greeklatinaudio guy is not a particularly good example of the modern 
pronunciation, as I and others have discussed previously on the list.  
However he has some good rationale, although some of his points are 
weak.  7 is probably his best thought out point.  I would like to see 
more people doing things like this out there with MP3s.

I do disagree firmly with his suggestion that nobody will ever know or 
care what pronunciation we use -- if we study and enjoy our holy texts 
(or Greek texts we might not consider holy) in community together, it is 
important to read aloud since the material is designed for oral effect.  
I think in fact that it's an important part of retiring Erasmian: that 
we have an attractive, natural (non-robotic :-D) way to read texts 
together and discuss those texts.

Bless the Name
Curtis Hinson
http://curtishinson.com

Brian Mitchell wrote the following on 1/6/2006 5:57 AM:

>Hello B-Greek,
>
>    I was wondering has anyone checked out this Greek audio bible?:
>
>                  http://www.greeklatinaudio.com/index.html
>
> 
> 
>The  guy who made that audio Bible also posted some of his reasons for using a 
>modern Greek pronunciation of classical koine texts otherwise know as the Greek 
>Bible. Below I have posted some of his reasons as found on the following page:
>
>*http://www.greeklatinaudio.com/additional.htm#whygreekprocon*
>
>*"WHY A MODERN GREEK PRONUNCIATION CONVENTION?
>*
>
>1.) First of all, no one knows how ancient Greek was pronounced. Therefore, 
>modern Greek pronunciation is every bit as valid a choice for a pronunciation 
>convention as any other.
>
>2.) That having been said, modern Greeks themselves read the classics using 
>modern Greek pronunciation. (Who, then, are we to argue with such an 
>overwhelming and practical recommendation - by the Greeks themselves!) They win 
>the vote on this issue by qualified millions.
>
>3.) Modern Greek pronunciation is REAL as opposed to theoretical.
>
>4.) Thus, it SOUNDS far better and far more FLUID than the theoretical and 
>stilted pronunciation conventions commonly used in classical academia. (Real 
>language doesn't sound like that.)
>
>5.) Classical academia is generally not concerned with the art of vocal reading 
>of Greek, regardless of favored pronunciation conventions. So one rarely, if 
>ever, actually hears it read. (This fact, by the way, makes the choice of a 
>pronunciation convention a de facto non-issue, despite the arguments.)
>
>6.) The Bible highly recommends (commands!) vocal reading of its contents. 
>(Joshua 1:8; Psalms 1:2; Acts 13:15; 1 Timothy 4:13; Revelation 1:3) With this 
>in mind, if one would like to learn the art, a fluid pronunciation convention is 
>a welcome asset to the endeavor. (And the Bible an excellent platform on which 
>to begin.)
>
>7.) For those who would argue that modern Greek does not make fine phonetic 
>distinctions which facilitate the learning of correct orthography, e.g., 
>omicron/omega; iotacistic melding of eta, upsilon, iota and various diphthongs, 
>etc... one must remember that NO natural language voluntarily subjects itself to 
>the straight-jacket of logical consistency for the benefit of learners. (Compare 
>the ridiculous orthographic inconsistencies of English, which, by the way, did 
>not appear to hinder its development and ascent to the unassailable position of 
>planet Earth's virtual lingua franca...)
>
>8.) An application of the modern greek pronunciation convention in this issue 
>lays a fine foundation for a rewarding adjunct study of the language of MODERN 
>GREEK! Such is certainly a worthy endeavor because modern Greek is a world-class 
>language with a tremendous legacy, having SURVIVED the merciless vagaries of 
>linguistic evolution-and-devolution, which have obliterated virtually ALL of its 
>great historical language contemporaries. Where are they...?! And yet, Greek 
>remains and thrives...(however, see: Oldest Language 
><http://www.greeklatinaudio.com/oldlang.htm>)
>
>FINALLY, an added FREEBEE which lends subtle security to your personal choice of 
>a pronunciation convention...regardless of which one it may be:
>
>Most likely, no one will ever know or care which convention you've chosen - 
>because, most likely, no one will ever ask you to read Greek aloud! It will, 
>therefore, most likely, never be an issue...unless it's selected from a tattered 
>hat as a subject for academic debate. (And the debate, of course, will NOT occur 
>in Greek! NOR will it occur in Greece!)
>
>Thus, no one can justifiably hassle you about the pronunciation convention you 
>choose! Simply choose one, apply it consistently and you will fare well! And for 
>the reasons stated above, if you choose the MODERN Greek convention, you will 
>fare weller (!) "
>                I think his reasons are very interesting and might be helpful to 
>think about.
>
>                           God bless you,
>
>                                                  Brian Mitchell
>
> 
>
>  
>




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