[B-Greek] Greek NT audio--attitude of modern Greeks

Kevin Riley klriley at alphalink.com.au
Thu Oct 2 22:28:31 EDT 2008


In other words, Koine Greek acted like any living language and Randall has
virtually made a "standard" form of the language.  Which makes it no more
(nor less) artificial than standard English or German or French and probably
less so than many standard languages.
 
Kevin Riley
 
-------Original Message------- 
 
From: Dr. Don Wilkins 
Date: 3/10/2008 7:50:48 AM 
 
One would certainly think so. However, I recollect that years ago the 
Univ. Of Athens focused on modern Greek lit, not ancient. And one of 
My favorite memories (for its oddity) was having an ethnic Greek 
Student who had come to the states from Greece to learn ancient 
Greek, because it wasn't taught in his homeland. I would hope that 
The situation has since changed, but don't know. 
 
Incidentally, Dr. Buth and I carried on correspondence about his 
"Living Koine" off-list, because I was skeptical of it. In 
Researching the PHI CD I found considerable evidence of unpredictable 
Spelling variations that substantiated his view. On the other hand, 
This evidence also included certain vowel substitutions and other 
Factors that contradicted trends he cited as well-established, 
Suggesting that the situation was very complex, seemingly defying 
Efforts to thoroughly standardize pronunciation. So good news/bad 
News, IMO. I hope I am fair in concluding that his system is a 
Generalization of the actual Koine, like a mathematical average that 
May not be the specific situation in any one time and locale. But as 
Such, it is certainly closer to the real thing than either Erasmian 
Or modern Greek pronunciation. Or in other words, he has made a 
Commendable effort to nail jello to a tree. 
 
Don Wilkins 
 



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