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KLB
Senior Villager
Joined: 07 Feb 2006
Posts: 125
Location: London
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I have a bit of a grasp of Greek and have tried to learn (so I can speak to my in laws!) over the years but the problem I face is that any language book I buy is different to the Cypriot language.
Other than lessons from a Cypriot can anyone recommend any books or materials I could buy to help me?
I'm getting married in Cyprus later this year and would like to say some of my vows in Greek. |
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Dhavlos
Warnings : 1
Site Admin
Joined: 13 Aug 2005
Posts: 4697
Location: Birmingham
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I wouldnt know if there is a book on learning cypriot-greek - Kypriaka - since it is not an 'official' language.
Also, i didnt know that you actually say vows in an orthodox wedding? or is it a 'english' ceremony?
one book that is good for learning greek is by a man called Kypros Tofallis -A textbook of modern greek . It goes from basic to A-level,so it is pretty comprehensive. Kypriaka, your just going to have to 'pick up'from people speaking, basically, it has sounds in it that 'soften' the normal greek, with sounds like j, ch, sh, (french) j...which are not present in the normal greek language. |
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KLB
Senior Villager
Joined: 07 Feb 2006
Posts: 125
Location: London
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Thank you. We are having (much to the disgust yia yias and bapous of the family!) a civil ceremony although I don't want a "tacky English" ceremony and would like to incorporate something of both of our cultures.
It's funny as I used to try to say Greek sentences to my in laws and they'd say "that's not Greek"! I've learned lots more "Cypriot" now though and apparently my pronounciation is really good (I got asked by a couple of Greeks in Cyprus if I was from there!) |
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brother
Warnings : 3
Site Admin
Joined: 15 Aug 2005
Posts: 8920
Location: London/Cyprus
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Hi KLB and welcome to the forum  |
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KLB
Senior Villager
Joined: 07 Feb 2006
Posts: 125
Location: London
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Thank you (very friendly on here!)
Whereabouts in Cyprus are you? |
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brother
Warnings : 3
Site Admin
Joined: 15 Aug 2005
Posts: 8920
Location: London/Cyprus
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| KLB wrote: |
Thank you (very friendly on here!)
Whereabouts in Cyprus are you? |
I am in the UK at present, North London.  |
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cannedmoose
Warnings : 4
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Joined: 12 Aug 2005
Posts: 5356
Location: National Forest, England
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| KLB wrote: |
Thank you. We are having (much to the disgust yia yias and bapous of the family!) a civil ceremony although I don't want a "tacky English" ceremony and would like to incorporate something of both of our cultures.
It's funny as I used to try to say Greek sentences to my in laws and they'd say "that's not Greek"! I've learned lots more "Cypriot" now though and apparently my pronounciation is really good (I got asked by a couple of Greeks in Cyprus if I was from there!) |
KLB, go for the Greek Orthodox ceremony like I did and you don't have to say anything at all
P.S. Welcome to the forum! |
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KLB
Senior Villager
Joined: 07 Feb 2006
Posts: 125
Location: London
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| Nah I want to impress the rellies even more and say something in broken Greek.... |
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Crash Test Dummy
Warnings : 3
Ministerial
Joined: 25 Sep 2005
Posts: 4909
Location: London(ish)
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Learn how to say,
you will go down a treat |
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Bullika
Warnings : 1
Ministerial
Joined: 29 Sep 2005
Posts: 3025
Location: World
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Welcome KLB!
Heres some info for you.
| Quote: |
Cypriot Greek
Formally, and in written form, it is Standard Modern Greek, the Dimotiki dialect, that is used. However, orally and informally there is a distinctive Cypriot Greek dialect (Kypriaki dialectos). The Cypriot Greek dialect, although it observes the grammar and syntax of the Greek language, does, in its words and phrases, reflect the language influence of states that have, periodically in the island’s history, occupied Cyprus. Cypriot Greek has many loan words from French, Venetian, Arabic, English and Turkish that are not found in Greek and has also been influenced by its relative separation from the Greek mainland. Hence Cypriot Greek still remains, in many ways, closer to the Classical Greek and to the previous official Greek dialect of Katharevousa than to Dimotiki. There is also a stronger pronunciation of most letters in Cypriot Greek (except the vowels) that is not in the Greek language, for example, ‘and’ in Greek is pronounced like ‘ke’, in Cypriot Greek this is ‘je’. These variations and the ‘borrowing’ can often render the Cypriot Greek dialect scicmprehensible to non-Cypriot Greeks!
Cypriot Greek-Greek Words (written in Roman alphabet)
Cypriot Greek: lalo, Greek: leo (I say)
Cypriot Greek: pashiamas, Greek: havales (fun)
Cypriot Greek: peripezo, Greek: koroidevo (I make fun of)
Cypriot Turkish
Cypriot Turkish is not listed as an ‘official’ dialect of the Turkish language yet it is considered sufficiently distinct from Turkish to be taught as a separate language and literature at some universities. As the influences on the language have been much the same as those on the Cypriot Greek dialect, it varies from its parent language in much the same way, with loan words from past occupying nations and from the Greek language influencing it. Cypriot Turkish also has the same ‘j’ instead of ‘k’ pronunciation as Cypriot Greek.
Cypriot Turkish-Turkish Words
Cypriot Turkish: gindirik, Turkish: aralik (ajar)
Cypriot Turkish: raundabaut, Turkish: gember (roundabout)
Cypriot Turkish: gaz, Turkish: kaz (goose) |
http://scic.cec.eu.int/main/enlargement/lan_pres/cyp_01.htm |
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Bullika
Warnings : 1
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Joined: 29 Sep 2005
Posts: 3025
Location: World
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KLB
Senior Villager
Joined: 07 Feb 2006
Posts: 125
Location: London
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Wow - thanks for this!
I'll stick to the Greek Cypriot - know a few Turkish words...
Am hoping to say a little bit at the wedding but I will probably chicken out. |
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cypezokyli
Ministerial
Joined: 20 Dec 2005
Posts: 2344
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| you ll just need to answer efharisto everytime you listen to : na zisete (mana mou) . assuming a real cypriot wedding thats going to happen more than 500 times in one night... but you said your husband is a british cypriot, so it will not be that bad....BUT, every efharisto translates to around 20CP, in the cyprus wedding business. |
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KLB
Senior Villager
Joined: 07 Feb 2006
Posts: 125
Location: London
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| I know the basics (it has been nine years!) And I can pretty much understand the yia yias and bapous - in fact I can understand most conversations as I pick out the words that I know....apparently my pronounciation is good! |
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depurple
Warnings : 1
Ministerial
Joined: 06 Dec 2005
Posts: 2874
Location: Australia
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KBL if you where single and my wife was on Holidays I would give you private lessons in Cypriot:
The best way to learn is on a holiday to Ayia Napa for a few days: Its amazing what you will pick up there on a Saturday night:
They used to call me a cunnalinquist:
A master of the tongue just because I can lick my eye brows:
cheers
Angouri tou Pingo! |
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