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Might the Romans have spoken Greek with an "Italian accent"?

Posted: April 5th, 2019, 8:35 am
by Bill Ross
This is perhaps slightly tangential to the site's usual focus but I'm asking in case anyone happens to be able to hazard an informed guess...

Is it at all likely that in the Koine period that the Romans spoke Greek with what people refer to now as an "Italian accent"?

Re: Might the Romans have spoken Greek with an "Italian accent"?

Posted: April 5th, 2019, 1:41 pm
by Barry Hofstetter
It's practically impossible for adult learners of a second language not to have an "accent." it's also a sure bet that there were regional differences in pronunciation.

Re: Might the Romans have spoken Greek with an "Italian accent"?

Posted: April 6th, 2019, 6:05 am
by Matthew Longhorn
The modern Italian accent also surely wouldn't have existed back then?

Re: Might the Romans have spoken Greek with an "Italian accent"?

Posted: May 19th, 2020, 2:15 pm
by LukeAmadeusRanieri
I’ve done a lot of research on this topic! It would depend on the century. What time period did you have in mind?

I have been compiling my studies here:

bit.ly/ranierigreekpronunciation

bit.ly/ranierilatinpronunciation

These will form the basis of my response. 😊

Re: Might the Romans have spoken Greek with an "Italian accent"?

Posted: May 19th, 2020, 6:03 pm
by Stephen Carlson
Barry Hofstetter wrote: ↑April 5th, 2019, 1:41 pm It's practically impossible for adult learners of a second language not to have an "accent." it's also a sure bet that there were regional differences in pronunciation.
Yeah but the American accent of Koine Greek, now that is positively barbaric!

Re: Might the Romans have spoken Greek with an "Italian accent"?

Posted: May 19th, 2020, 8:27 pm
by Jonathan Robie
Stephen Carlson wrote: ↑May 19th, 2020, 6:03 pm
Barry Hofstetter wrote: ↑April 5th, 2019, 1:41 pm It's practically impossible for adult learners of a second language not to have an "accent." it's also a sure bet that there were regional differences in pronunciation.
Yeah but the American accent of Koine Greek, now that is positively barbaric!
You prefer the Australian accent of Koine Greek?

Re: Might the Romans have spoken Greek with an "Italian accent"?

Posted: May 20th, 2020, 12:24 am
by Stephen Carlson
Jonathan Robie wrote: ↑May 19th, 2020, 8:27 pm
Stephen Carlson wrote: ↑May 19th, 2020, 6:03 pm Yeah but the American accent of Koine Greek, now that is positively barbaric!
You prefer the Australian accent of Koine Greek?
Actually yes: they get the omicron right. It’s still barbaric though.

Re: Might the Romans have spoken Greek with an "Italian accent"?

Posted: May 20th, 2020, 10:36 am
by Jonathan Robie
Stephen Carlson wrote: ↑May 20th, 2020, 12:24 am
Jonathan Robie wrote: ↑May 19th, 2020, 8:27 pm
Stephen Carlson wrote: ↑May 19th, 2020, 6:03 pm Yeah but the American accent of Koine Greek, now that is positively barbaric!
You prefer the Australian accent of Koine Greek?
Actually yes: they get the omicron right. It’s still barbaric though.
To be fair, Ancient Greeks have always mangled American English.

Re: Might the Romans have spoken Greek with an "Italian accent"?

Posted: May 21st, 2020, 9:41 am
by Devenios Doulenios
And of course, some of them, at least, spoke Latin that way :D . At least, the average Roman in the street probably did.