[B-Greek] Definitions and educational value
Carl Conrad
cwconrad2 at mac.com
Fri Feb 26 08:41:11 EST 2010
I'll only retain below the parts to which I want to add a note:
On Feb 26, 2010, at 8:03 AM, Mark Lightman wrote:
>
> Χαιρε, Νικολαε
> Hi, Niko,
>
> Niko wrote:
>
> <The additional composition in a language similar
> to the NT is an advance
> exercise and can be useful, but only when
> one is very comfortable with the
> sound and the text of the language.
> As always, advance matters are what
> the word implies, advanced. Not for all
> and not for all times and just
> for a well defined purpose.>
>
> I sort of agree with this and I think Randall made the
> same point when he commented on my order of
> G.A.L.A. I only started writing in Koine after I had
> read a lot and listened to a lot. I'm not sure at
> what point writing should be introduced. Carl has
> made the case the earlier generations learned Greek
> better because they did more composition. Maybe
> they did this only as advanced students?
In earlier generations (Renaissance onward) they did it from the start. Louis Sorenson has
been digging up some of the printed stuff. They did conversational stuff while learning,
and Louis gave URLs for that stuff too from a couple centuries back. The composition
books at the Textkit site are for advanced British public schools -- but that's still pretty
young people doing it -- not like my doing it as an advanced undergrad in college or grad student.
> τριτον εγαψας
> a third time you egrapsed
>
> <I did not see anyone, American or other English
> native speaker, to communicate
> in Shakespearean English even as and exercise.>
>
> I used to think this too, in my salad days, when
> I was green in judgment. Remember that much
> of what I say is strange. Therefore as a stranger
> give it welcome. As one guy said to me off-list:
> "Your posts remind me of the tale told by the
> proverbial IDIWTHS--they are full of sound and
> fury but they signify nothing." Another said:
> "Lightman, your posts are too long. More matter
> and less art, please." One guy said "When I
> read your e-missives that seem to go on and on
> without making much of a point, I say 'Be not
> so long to speak. I long to die.'" To which
> I said, "Seems? Nay, 'tis I know not 'seems...'"
>
> Stuff like that. :)
Remember the lines from "Kiss Me, Kate"?
"Brush UP your Shakespeare -- Start QUOTing him now!"
It hath been said, and I do myself believe 'tis true, that phraseology of
the English Bible in the KJV and of Shakespearean plays affects the
language spoken and written by English-speakers far beyond what
they are conscious of. It is impossible to estimate properly the impact
of the classics of a nation's literature on the way its people speak and
write. To speak, to write: 'tis a consummation devoutly to be wished.
Carl W. Conrad
Department of Classics, Washington University (Retired)
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