[B-Greek] B-Greek Year End Awards
Sarah Madden
sarah.r.madden at gmail.com
Fri Jan 8 18:44:04 EST 2010
Re. accents, I find they do help me remember the words (and their
spellings). If I learn to say a word consistently, stressing whatever
syllable has the accent, it seems to register in my brain better.
For example, the English word "syllable" is consistently pronounced
SYL-la-ble not syl-*LA*-Ble or syl-la-*BLE* -- because the first syllable in
this word is the one with the (unmarked) stress accent.
In my opinion, a consistent use of accented syllables means that the reading
starts to sound more melodic and less like reading a grocery list. A Greek
national once told me that in the Greek languare, "it's all about the
accents." :-)
Sarah ><>
(aka Hawkey Pierce)
Maryland USA
On Fri, Jan 8, 2010 at 6:08 PM, Leonard Isaksson <
leonardo1orchardcity at mac.com> wrote:
> You may have them(accents), and may they be of help. I don't mind
> having accents around, I kind of like it, especially if I am trying to
> pronounce modern Greek, or Buthian Greek. For that I need the accents
> too, I certainly am not able to pronounce modern or Buthian Greek
> fluently, I'm probably more like a car whose motor is stumbling along.
> Thick of tongue. Certainly Aristotle or one of the ancient Greeks, or
> probably any Greek would wonder "What is he trying to say?"
>
> It is simpler to look at in reading not to have them, but I don't mind
> having them around. Making a distinction about the grave is kind of a
> pain. I just like the Smith and Melluish book, it is quite friendly,
> more for a learner at home who wants an introduction. I found that I
> learned from Eric Jay's book, which certainly uses accents and
> breathings and all.
>
> How about Carson's book for helping with accents? That should help.
>
> Leonard Isaksson
>
>
> On Jan 8, 2010, at 3:56 PM, Timothy S. Nelson wrote:
>
> > 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.
> >
> > :)
> >
> >
> > ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> > | Name: Tim Nelson | Because the Creator is, |
> > | E-mail: wayland at wayland.id.au | I am |
> > ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> >
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--
Sarah ><>
sarah.r.madden at gmail.com
work: 301.429.8189
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