Speaking Greek
Mar 26th 2002, 1:06 pm
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
Speaking Greek
Im off to Greece this year to the island of Crete, and I was wondering if people over
there speak much english or if its better to try and learn some phrases before I go
over there? Im not really good at languages but at the same time I dont want to
offend anyone over there.
there speak much english or if its better to try and learn some phrases before I go
over there? Im not really good at languages but at the same time I dont want to
offend anyone over there.
Mar 26th 2002, 3:21 pm
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Speaking Greek
Everyone speaks English. It is the stand language, so to speak. The Germans will ask
questions in English. It would be nice if you learned Good Morning and Good Evening.
Arlene
Christine Baker wrote:
> Im off to Greece this year to the island of Crete, and I was wondering if people
> over there speak much english or if its better to try and learn some phrases before
> I go over there? Im not really good at languages but at the same time I dont want
> to offend anyone over there.
questions in English. It would be nice if you learned Good Morning and Good Evening.
Arlene
Christine Baker wrote:
> Im off to Greece this year to the island of Crete, and I was wondering if people
> over there speak much english or if its better to try and learn some phrases before
> I go over there? Im not really good at languages but at the same time I dont want
> to offend anyone over there.
Mar 27th 2002, 4:50 am
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Speaking Greek
on crete they'll speak english, in some of the northern reaches... probably not.
aipheristo
ay fer istoe (maybe...) is thank you- that's all I used
aipheristo
ay fer istoe (maybe...) is thank you- that's all I used
Mar 27th 2002, 7:35 pm
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Speaking Greek
Hi! For the linguistically challenged, a good way to remember how to say Thank You in
Greek is this man's name:
F. Harry Stowe - take him with you wherever you go!
Greeks are especially pleased when foreigners attempt to speak their difficult,
little known language.
Regards, Linda http://www.thetravelzine.com - still non-commercial!
"Sarathwa" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> on crete they'll speak english, in some of the northern reaches...
probably not.
>
> aipheristo
>
> ay fer istoe (maybe...) is thank you- that's all I used
Greek is this man's name:
F. Harry Stowe - take him with you wherever you go!
Greeks are especially pleased when foreigners attempt to speak their difficult,
little known language.
Regards, Linda http://www.thetravelzine.com - still non-commercial!
"Sarathwa" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> on crete they'll speak english, in some of the northern reaches...
probably not.
>
> aipheristo
>
> ay fer istoe (maybe...) is thank you- that's all I used
Mar 28th 2002, 4:35 pm
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Speaking Greek
On 26 Mar 2002, [email protected] (Christine Baker) wrote:
> Im off to Greece this year to the island of Crete, and I was wondering if people
> over there speak much english or if its better to try and learn some phrases before
> I go over there? Im not really good at languages but at the same time I dont want
> to offend anyone over there.
For what it's worth, the FAQ has the following information on languages:
> The following table shows how widely English, French, German and Russian are spoken
> in some of the major tourist destinations, using the following scale:
>
> 1: The language is widely spoken; you're unlikely to have problems.
> 2: The language is spoken to some extent; expect some problems.
> 3. The language is uncommon; expect many problems.
>
> English French German Russian
>
> Austria 2 3 1 3 Czech Republic 2 3 2 2 France 2 1 3 3 Germany 2 3 1 2* Great
> Britain 1 2 3 3 Greece 2 3 2 3 Hungary 2 3 2 2 Italy 2 2 3* 3 Nordic Countries 2 3
> 2 3 Poland 2 3 3 2 Russia 2 3 3 1 Spain 2 2 3* 3
>
> * Widely spoken in some areas, but not in the entire country.
>
> These numbers are somewhat approximate, of course; comments are welcome.
I agree with the suggestion to try to learn the alphabet. It shouldn't take long --
you can do it during the trip to Greece -- and it can be extremely useful.
I think that trying to learn phrases is a waste of time, except for the most basic
words such as "yes", "no", "thank you", "beer"
, and the like. You'll never be able
to learn enough to make it worthwhile.
--
Yves Bellefeuille <[email protected]>, Ottawa, Canada Francais / English / Esperanto
Esperanto FAQ: http://www.esperanto.net/veb/faq.html Rec.travel.europe FAQ:
http://www.faqs.org/faqs/travel/europe/faq
> Im off to Greece this year to the island of Crete, and I was wondering if people
> over there speak much english or if its better to try and learn some phrases before
> I go over there? Im not really good at languages but at the same time I dont want
> to offend anyone over there.
For what it's worth, the FAQ has the following information on languages:
> The following table shows how widely English, French, German and Russian are spoken
> in some of the major tourist destinations, using the following scale:
>
> 1: The language is widely spoken; you're unlikely to have problems.
> 2: The language is spoken to some extent; expect some problems.
> 3. The language is uncommon; expect many problems.
>
> English French German Russian
>
> Austria 2 3 1 3 Czech Republic 2 3 2 2 France 2 1 3 3 Germany 2 3 1 2* Great
> Britain 1 2 3 3 Greece 2 3 2 3 Hungary 2 3 2 2 Italy 2 2 3* 3 Nordic Countries 2 3
> 2 3 Poland 2 3 3 2 Russia 2 3 3 1 Spain 2 2 3* 3
>
> * Widely spoken in some areas, but not in the entire country.
>
> These numbers are somewhat approximate, of course; comments are welcome.
I agree with the suggestion to try to learn the alphabet. It shouldn't take long --
you can do it during the trip to Greece -- and it can be extremely useful.
I think that trying to learn phrases is a waste of time, except for the most basic
words such as "yes", "no", "thank you", "beer"
, and the like. You'll never be ableto learn enough to make it worthwhile.
--
Yves Bellefeuille <[email protected]>, Ottawa, Canada Francais / English / Esperanto
Esperanto FAQ: http://www.esperanto.net/veb/faq.html Rec.travel.europe FAQ:
http://www.faqs.org/faqs/travel/europe/faq
Mar 29th 2002, 7:35 pm
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Speaking Greek
In article <[email protected] gers.com>, Don and Linda
<[email protected]> wrote:
> Greeks are especially pleased when foreigners attempt to speak their difficult,
> little known language.
I don't know why you regard Greek as an especially 'difficult' language.
--
Mike Lane
<[email protected]> wrote:
> Greeks are especially pleased when foreigners attempt to speak their difficult,
> little known language.
I don't know why you regard Greek as an especially 'difficult' language.
--
Mike Lane
Mar 30th 2002, 12:05 am
#7
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Speaking Greek
jason <@.com> wrote:
> Well not to native speakers, but to non-native speakers who speak English I;d
> imagine i'd be quite a challenge. Surely the phrase 'it's all Greek to me!' must
> have arose for a good reason...
The language is a little tough but it has a lot of cognates with English, which
provides the occasional bright moment in an otherwise uphill battle.
miguel
--
Hit The Road! Photos and tales from around the world: http://travel.u.nu
> Well not to native speakers, but to non-native speakers who speak English I;d
> imagine i'd be quite a challenge. Surely the phrase 'it's all Greek to me!' must
> have arose for a good reason...
The language is a little tough but it has a lot of cognates with English, which
provides the occasional bright moment in an otherwise uphill battle.
miguel
--
Hit The Road! Photos and tales from around the world: http://travel.u.nu
Mar 30th 2002, 12:05 am
#8
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Speaking Greek
Well not to native speakers, but to non-native speakers who speak English I;d imagine
i'd be quite a challenge. Surely the phrase 'it's all Greek to me!' must have arose
for a good reason...
"Mike Lane" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:290320022006218130%[email protected]...
> In article <[email protected] gers.com>, Don and
> Linda <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> > Greeks are especially pleased when foreigners attempt to speak their difficult,
> > little known language.
>
> I don't know why you regard Greek as an especially 'difficult' language.
>
> --
> Mike Lane
i'd be quite a challenge. Surely the phrase 'it's all Greek to me!' must have arose
for a good reason...
"Mike Lane" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:290320022006218130%[email protected]...
> In article <[email protected] gers.com>, Don and
> Linda <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> > Greeks are especially pleased when foreigners attempt to speak their difficult,
> > little known language.
>
> I don't know why you regard Greek as an especially 'difficult' language.
>
> --
> Mike Lane
Mar 30th 2002, 10:35 am
#9
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Speaking Greek
In article <[email protected]>, jason <@.com> wrote:
> Well not to native speakers, but to non-native speakers who speak English I;d
> imagine i'd be quite a challenge. Surely the phrase 'it's all Greek to me!' must
> have arose for a good reason...
Learning any foreign language is a challenge but I don't think Greek is any more so
than (say) French or German. The grammar is straightforward and the pronunciation is
easy for an English speaker.
--
Mike Lane North Yorkshire, UK
> Well not to native speakers, but to non-native speakers who speak English I;d
> imagine i'd be quite a challenge. Surely the phrase 'it's all Greek to me!' must
> have arose for a good reason...
Learning any foreign language is a challenge but I don't think Greek is any more so
than (say) French or German. The grammar is straightforward and the pronunciation is
easy for an English speaker.
--
Mike Lane North Yorkshire, UK
Mar 30th 2002, 8:05 pm
#10
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Speaking Greek
We must mention, though, that Greeks use the phrase " it is all chinese to me" and
don' t forget that the word "phrase" is greek, as well as the word "grammar" , which
you both used. Stella Ã? Mike Lane <[email protected]> Ã?ãñáøå óôï ìÞÃõìá óõæÞôçóçò:
300320020958062410%[email protected]...
> In article <[email protected]>, jason <@.com> wrote:
>
> > Well not to native speakers, but to non-native speakers who speak
English
> > I;d imagine i'd be quite a challenge. Surely the phrase 'it's all Greek
to
> > me!' must have arose for a good reason...
>
> Learning any foreign language is a challenge but I don't think Greek is any more so
> than (say) French or German. The grammar is straightforward and the pronunciation
> is easy for an English speaker.
>
> --
> Mike Lane North Yorkshire, UK
don' t forget that the word "phrase" is greek, as well as the word "grammar" , which
you both used. Stella Ã? Mike Lane <[email protected]> Ã?ãñáøå óôï ìÞÃõìá óõæÞôçóçò:
300320020958062410%[email protected]...
> In article <[email protected]>, jason <@.com> wrote:
>
> > Well not to native speakers, but to non-native speakers who speak
English
> > I;d imagine i'd be quite a challenge. Surely the phrase 'it's all Greek
to
> > me!' must have arose for a good reason...
>
> Learning any foreign language is a challenge but I don't think Greek is any more so
> than (say) French or German. The grammar is straightforward and the pronunciation
> is easy for an English speaker.
>
> --
> Mike Lane North Yorkshire, UK
Mar 30th 2002, 11:05 pm
#11
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Speaking Greek
In article <[email protected]>, goldensk <[email protected]> wrote:
> We must mention, though, that Greeks use the phrase " it is all chinese to me" and
> don' t forget that the word "phrase" is greek, as well as the word "grammar" ,
> which you both used. Stella
I do realise that - but what is the point you are making? The fact that many English
words are derived from Greek supports my argument that Greek is not a particularly
'difficult' language for an English speaking person.
--
Mike Lane North Yorkshire, UK
> We must mention, though, that Greeks use the phrase " it is all chinese to me" and
> don' t forget that the word "phrase" is greek, as well as the word "grammar" ,
> which you both used. Stella
I do realise that - but what is the point you are making? The fact that many English
words are derived from Greek supports my argument that Greek is not a particularly
'difficult' language for an English speaking person.
--
Mike Lane North Yorkshire, UK
Mar 31st 2002, 10:05 am
#12
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Speaking Greek
This is exactly what I meant by my previous message. You speak greek without
realising that. Regards from the chaming island of Rhodes Stella "Mike Lane"
<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:300320022324368345%[email protected]...
> In article <[email protected]>, goldensk <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> > We must mention, though, that Greeks use the phrase " it is all chinese
to
> > me" and don' t forget that the word "phrase" is greek, as well as the word
> > "grammar" , which you both used. Stella
>
> I do realise that - but what is the point you are making? The fact that many
> English words are derived from Greek supports my argument that Greek is not a
> particularly 'difficult' language for an English speaking person.
>
> --
> Mike Lane North Yorkshire, UK
realising that. Regards from the chaming island of Rhodes Stella "Mike Lane"
<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:300320022324368345%[email protected]...
> In article <[email protected]>, goldensk <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> > We must mention, though, that Greeks use the phrase " it is all chinese
to
> > me" and don' t forget that the word "phrase" is greek, as well as the word
> > "grammar" , which you both used. Stella
>
> I do realise that - but what is the point you are making? The fact that many
> English words are derived from Greek supports my argument that Greek is not a
> particularly 'difficult' language for an English speaking person.
>
> --
> Mike Lane North Yorkshire, UK
Mar 31st 2002, 11:05 am
#13
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Speaking Greek
goldensk wrote:
>
> This is exactly what I meant by my previous message. You speak greek without
> realising that. Regards from the chaming island of Rhodes Stella
Being an Internet group, don't more people on RTE speak Geek than Greek?
And yes, I'd like to get to Rodos some day.
>
> This is exactly what I meant by my previous message. You speak greek without
> realising that. Regards from the chaming island of Rhodes Stella
Being an Internet group, don't more people on RTE speak Geek than Greek?
And yes, I'd like to get to Rodos some day.
Apr 1st 2002, 8:06 am
#14
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Speaking Greek
You are always welcome to the sunny island of Rhodes! Stella "R J Carpenter"
<[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> goldensk wrote:
> >
> > This is exactly what I meant by my previous message. You speak greek without
> > realising that. Regards from the chaming island of Rhodes Stella
>
> Being an Internet group, don't more people on RTE speak Geek than Greek?
>
> And yes, I'd like to get to Rodos some day.
<[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> goldensk wrote:
> >
> > This is exactly what I meant by my previous message. You speak greek without
> > realising that. Regards from the chaming island of Rhodes Stella
>
> Being an Internet group, don't more people on RTE speak Geek than Greek?
>
> And yes, I'd like to get to Rodos some day.
Apr 22nd 2002, 4:09 pm
#15
Just Joined
Joined: Apr 2002
Location: Athens
Posts: 20
Re: Speaking Greek
Almost all Greeks speak English, especially in islands like Crete.
But you can find a "first needs" English to Greek and vv dictionary in http://www.holidays4all.com , under the topic "It's all Greek to me..."
There is a page with nice Greek music too, which you can listen from your computer, in case you want to start your holidays some months before.
Have a nice holiday
!!!
ariadni
But you can find a "first needs" English to Greek and vv dictionary in http://www.holidays4all.com , under the topic "It's all Greek to me..."
There is a page with nice Greek music too, which you can listen from your computer, in case you want to start your holidays some months before.
Have a nice holiday
!!!ariadni
Last edited by ariadni; Apr 22nd 2002 at 9:39 pm.
