[B-Greek] B-Greek Year End Awards

Timothy S. Nelson wayland at wayland.id.au
Fri Jan 8 16:56:45 EST 2010


On Fri, 8 Jan 2010, Leonard Isaksson wrote:

> These fellows, Smith and Melluish,  left out the accents entirely.  As
> they put it, the Greeks of classical times did not need them, why do
> we?, they were added later.   So too with John Wenham.
>
> On the other hand, I find having both of the breathing marks available
> to be useful, mostly to help with remembering what is what, as in those
> little short words and letters that express meaning.  They do help me.

 	That's because the Greeks of Classical times *already spoke Greek*. 
Whereas I, as a learner who bought Wenham's book, have now found that I don't 
know which syllable to put the accent on.  Of course, I could follow my native 
English-speaking instincts, but since they're wrong more than half the time, I 
would then have something to unlearn.  While I could live without the smooth 
breathing, as a beginner, I'd like very much to have the accents.

 	:)


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| Name: Tim Nelson                 | Because the Creator is,        |
| E-mail: wayland at wayland.id.au    | I am                           |
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