[B-Greek] "WRITE, WRITE WRITE' (was "Suggestions Please!")

Carl Conrad cwconrad2 at mac.com
Sun May 29 13:21:52 EDT 2011


On May 29, 2011, at 12:10 PM, John Barach, Sr wrote:

> While I don't disagree with those who advocate extensive reading and 
> writing in Greek, may I suggest memorizing passages in Greek.
> When I studied German and French, it was required to memorize long 
> passages. Although that was some 55 years ago, I think I could still 
> quote those passages even though I don't use those languages much anymore.
> However, when I started to learn Greek 50 years ago, I had to walk 
> several kilometres to church. I decided then that I should memorize the 
> Gospel of John as I walked. First, I did it in English; but then I began 
> in Greek. Although I memorized only a few chapters in Greek, the text is 
> still with me.

Yea, verily. Memorization of good texts is a valuable procedure. The gospel
of John is a fine choice. Other NT choices: 1 Cor 1-4 and/or 12-14, Acts 7,
Matthew's and Luke's Nativity narratives. Those are arbitrary choices out
of a number that one might mention.

Outside the NT: Memorize Plato's Apology of Socrates, Epictetus' 
Enchiridion, Homer's Odyssey 6 -- to mention but a few "memorable"
gems of Greek literature.

Carl W. Conrad
Department of Classics, Washington University (Retired)





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