Cyprus-Forum.com

[Oracle]

You immediately dissented when I proposed an alternative regional dialect, Paphitika. Fine. That's what I expected!

It proved you had not thought through, that not everyone would approve of your chosen dialect above all those others currently available.

I don't care if you don't approve. I don't want your approval. In fact, if you did approve, I'd be worried.

You've stumbled already, and you would have to convince far more important people than myself towards adopting your chosen dialect.

I'm not imposing my Cypriot on anyone. You think to much of me. People can use it if they wish.

I thought you suggested it was the only unifying language. As such, if you believe that and you want a solution for Cyprus, then you shouldn't give up. But, I think you have realised that you simply had not thought it through, as a serious proposal. In which case, perhaps you should evaluate if now it might be harmful to erode our ONE unifying language, which in Cyprus is Greek!

And it's not my chosen dialect. It's my chosen language. You have a problem with that, you cultural imperialist Greek? You have a problem with me using and speaking my Cypriot?

Your "Gibreiga" is probably 99% Greek, which means it is not a language but a regional dialect.

Don't degrade Cyprus by not accepting that distinction, because you immediately infer inferiority on dialects ... and I can assure that is far from the truth. Regional dialects are important in relationship forming, social contexts!

Your chosen dialect, which you call "Gibraika"

You call it Gibriaka because you're a Greek and you can't speak it. I call it Gibreiga.

And in Paphos we might pronounce it somewhat differently ... and this phonetic "language" of yours does not represent most Cypriots, but most second generation London Cypriots so you had better get Haringey council to firstly print their leaflets in North London Gibreiga and not Greek ... before you impose such prescriptive rules on Cyprus.

doesn't represent all Cypriots and it's therefore not "unifying" as you naively propose (or bill c.)

Yes. That's right, O. Get your facts right before jumping in without thinking, and attacking Cypriots like the junta did in 1974. Because I won't stand for it. No more interference from the likes of you, you hear? It represents me... and I'm the Cypriot, OK?

Fine ... but you are not even a Cypriot citizen ... I go by the Official language of the RoC (minus the Turkish element), which is Greek.

We've already standardised the language. And called it 'Cypriot'. No one else has. End of story.

Has the RoC accepted it?

Why should the RoC make it part of their unifying solution to the Cyprus problem?. With such a dialect choice, you would split the Island into 100 pieces, not unify it.

Please preserve ALL dialects of Cyprus ... not just your ONE chosen dialect, which you picked up in North London!

Since you seem to think it's a mere dialect, what is your problem? Leave me alone! Leave the Cypriot alone to enjoy his language! He never troubled anyone. He just wanted to enjoy life in peace, enjoying his batihan and hallumin.

No, you imperialist snob! It's not a "mere dialect". Why do you look down on dialects? Linguists appreciate the interpersonal value of regional dialects. Don't turn you nose up on Cypriot dialects (any of them ... they all deserve common daily usage!).

And the unifying language of the Cypriot Academy is Cypriot.

Of course online communities can use any languages they like ... Star Trek fanatics started that many years ago. Good luck with your online script.

And you're not a member.

I wouldn't want to be a member of any club which would have me ...

And the unifying language of all Cypriots is English if they want a unifying language. And if they don't they can carry on speaking their inferior versions of Greek and Turkish.

Nope English is not our unifying language; but it is the 'global communication' language. People will resort to regional dialects for their communities and the National Government - RoC - will use the Official Language recognised by all its citizens (in our case Greek).

And I have one which is, unlike you, 100% Cypriot! And I prefer my one. I mean, if that's all right with you?

Nope it's 99% Greek (even the English acknowledge the 30% Greek contribution)

But everyone is free to use whichever dialect they please and provide for diversity.

You mean by Athens.

And you prefer what? .... by North London!

The spirit of Cyprus must live on somewhere, while cultural imperialists try and impose their will on us and occupy our lands.

The Spirit of Cyprus is in Cyprus so don't insult the country with your Neo-Brit imperialist North London Seat of Power, please!

I think Christofias needs the support of the Diaspora, not their arrogant, ill-informed dissent.

[bill cobbett]

Can I just put to bed this notion that North London Cypriot differs to any great extent from the CY spoken in CY and that it should therefore be regarded as a dialect of mainstream CY. Here in GB we have certainly acquired a number of words that are distinctive to our GB environment in the perfectly natural way that any Language of the People acquires new words. The fifty odd years or so since the birth of the London/GB CY community probably hasn't been long enough to develop a distinct dialect.

The phrases and sayings that we use here in London are identical to those used in CY CY (see the section on the Academy site above for a long list of phrases). So we have a situation where a 100% Urban Community (London CYs) uses sayings and phrases derived exclusively from the old CY village environment.

[Oracle]

Can I just put to bed this notion that North London Cypriot differs to any great extent from the CY spoken in CY and that it should therefore be regarded as a dialect of mainstream CY. Here in GB we have certainly acquired a number of words that are distinctive to our GB environment in the perfectly natural way that any Language of the People acquires new words. The fifty odd years or so since the birth of the London/GB CY community probably hasn't been long enough to develop a distinct dialect.

It is a distinct dialect as it is discernible as such. The fact it has many Anglicised words in the lexicon and more particularly, because the pronunciation is Angliphied, it can be considered as another dialect of Greek, with strongest similarity to most regional dialects in Cyprus.

Since the Academy's attempts to call it a language is based on writing it phonetically ... the pronunciation element is paramount!

The phrases and sayings that we use here in London are identical to those used in CY CY (see the section on the Academy site above for a long list of phrases). So we have a situation where a 100% Urban Community (London CYs) uses sayings and phrases derived exclusively from the old CY village environment.

They can't be "identical" because there are many variations in Cyprus alone!

[The Cypriot]

You've stumbled already,

Because you say so? I say differently. Now what?

and you would have to convince far more important people than myself towards adopting your chosen dialect.

I don't want to convince anyone of adopting anything. Leave me and my language alone.

I thought you suggested it was the only unifying language.

Where? Show me or shut up. I've always said that will be English. Stop putting words in my mouth.

As such, if you believe that and you want a solution for Cyprus, then you shouldn't give up. But I think you have realised that you simply had not thought it through, as a serious proposal.

Don't 'believe' what I think. Because I can tell you what I think. And I've never put 'Cypriot' forward as a serious proposal as a unifying language. Although the romantic in me would love it...

In which case, perhaps you should evaluate if now it can be harmful to erode our ONE unifying language, which on Cyprus is Greek!

I will never stop saying 'batihan'... OK! I will not say karpouzi or karpuz.

Your "Gibreiga" is probably 99% Greek which means it is not a language but a regional dialect.

Your percentage is way off. But my language is 100% Cypriot just as English is 100% English and Greek is 100% Greek. Don't tell me my language is a regional dialect. It's been standardised. It's a language. And I speak it and write it. And no cultural imperialist can declare otherwise.

Don't degrade Cyprus by not accepting that distinction because you immediately infer inferiority on dialects ... and I can assure that is far from the truth. Regional dialects are important in relationship forming, social contexts!

People can have their regional dialects if they went them. Who's stopping them?

this phonetic "language" of yours does not represent most Cypriots,

So? Did I say it did?

but most second generation London Cypriots so you had better get Haringey council to print their leaflets in "Gibreiga" and not Greek first ... before you impose such prescriptive rules on Cyprus.

Why are you getting so uppity? It's only a 'dialect' after all, according to you. It's you who is imposing Greek culture and language on Cyprus.

Fine ... but you are not even a Cypriot citizen ...

Thank God my parents left as real Cypriots before foreigners imposed that divisive, undemocratic constitution on them.

I go by the Official language of the RoC (minus the Turkish element), which is Greek.

What a loud of garbage you spout... From the same official constitution that gave Britain, Greece AND TURKEY intervention rights.

We've already standardised the language. And called it 'Cypriot'. No one else has. End of story.

Has the RoC accepted it?

What a stupid question.

Why should the RoC make it part of their solution to the Cyprus problem, as unifying.

Where have I proposed this?

With such a dialect choice, you would split the Island into 100 pieces, not unify it.

Yawn....

Please preserve ALL dialects of Cyprus ... not just your ONE chosen dialect, which you picked up in North London!

Others can do the hard work too if they want anything preserved.

No you imperialist snob! It's not a "mere dialect". Why do you look down on dialects.

Because no one takes the trouble to standardise them.

Linguists appreciate the interpersonal value of regional dialects. Don't turn you nose down on Cypriot dialects (any of them ... they all deserve common daily usage!).

Who's stopping people using them? How can anyone?

Of course online communities can use any languages they like ... Star Trek fanatics started that many years ago. Good luck with your online script.

Now you're getting it. Thanks. It's doing really well thanks...

http://wikipriaka.com
http://wikipriaka.com/en/more
http://www.facebook.com/groups.php?ref= ... 7013787203

Nope English is not our unifying language; but it is the 'global communication' language. People will resort to regional dialects for their communities and the National Government - RoC - will use the Official Language recognised by all its citizens (in our case Greek).

Somehow I don't think so. But time will tell.

The Spirit of Cyprus is in Cyprus so don't insult the country with your Neo-Brit imperialist North London Seat of Power, please!

Yes, I saw yialousa's videos too. Great job keeping the spirit of Cyprus alive...

I think Christofias needs the support of the Diaspora, not their arrogant, ill-informed dissent.

It's not arrogant, it's not ill-informed and it's not dissent... unlike yialousa's neo-Nazis who you were encouraging yesterday.

[bill cobbett]

Can I just put to bed this notion that North London Cypriot differs to any great extent from the CY spoken in CY and that it should therefore be regarded as a dialect of mainstream CY. Here in GB we have certainly acquired a number of words that are distinctive to our GB environment in the perfectly natural way that any Language of the People acquires new words. The fifty odd years or so since the birth of the London/GB CY community probably hasn't been long enough to develop a distinct dialect.

It is a distinct dialect as it is discernible as such. The fact it has many Anglicised words in the lexicon and more particularly, because the pronunciation is Angliphied, it can be considered as another dialect of Greek, with strongest similarity to most regional dialects in Cyprus.

Since the Academy's attempts to call it a language is based on writing it phonetically ... the pronunciation element is paramount!

The phrases and sayings that we use here in London are identical to those used in CY CY (see the section on the Academy site above for a long list of phrases). So we have a situation where a 100% Urban Community (London CYs) uses sayings and phrases derived exclusively from the old CY village environment.

They can't be "identical" because there are many variations in Cyprus alone!

Agreed that London CY has acquired a small number of words from English.... In much the same way as Greek, German and even French(!) - we are not going to call French a Dialect of English are we now?

Cypriot as spoken/PRONOUNCED by Londoners and anyone else in the Diaspora, is an ACCENT.

[Oracle]

Of course online communities can use any languages they like ... Star Trek fanatics started that many years ago. Good luck with your online script.

Now you're getting it. Thanks. It's doing really well thanks...

http://wikipriaka.com
http://wikipriaka.com/en/more

.... Sorry! .... That's all Greek to me!

[Oracle]

Can I just put to bed this notion that North London Cypriot differs to any great extent from the CY spoken in CY and that it should therefore be regarded as a dialect of mainstream CY. Here in GB we have certainly acquired a number of words that are distinctive to our GB environment in the perfectly natural way that any Language of the People acquires new words. The fifty odd years or so since the birth of the London/GB CY community probably hasn't been long enough to develop a distinct dialect.

It is a distinct dialect as it is discernible as such. The fact it has many Anglicised words in the lexicon and more particularly, because the pronunciation is Angliphied, it can be considered as another dialect of Greek, with strongest similarity to most regional dialects in Cyprus.

Since the Academy's attempts to call it a language is based on writing it phonetically ... the pronunciation element is paramount!

The phrases and sayings that we use here in London are identical to those used in CY CY (see the section on the Academy site above for a long list of phrases). So we have a situation where a 100% Urban Community (London CYs) uses sayings and phrases derived exclusively from the old CY village environment.

They can't be "identical" because there are many variations in Cyprus alone!

Agreed that London CY has acquired a small number of words from English.... In much the same way as Greek, German and even French(!) - we are not going to call French a Dialect of English are we now?

Nope, those are national languages, just as the national language of Cyprus is Greek. Your "London CY" is another dialect of Greek.

Cypriot as spoken/PRONOUNCED by Londoners and anyone else in the Diaspora, is an ACCENT.

No problem! Try developing a satisfactory phonological representation of the infinite variations of London CY as spoken by those in Wood Green compared to those in Finchley

[bill cobbett]

Can I just put to bed this notion that North London Cypriot differs to any great extent from the CY spoken in CY and that it should therefore be regarded as a dialect of mainstream CY. Here in GB we have certainly acquired a number of words that are distinctive to our GB environment in the perfectly natural way that any Language of the People acquires new words. The fifty odd years or so since the birth of the London/GB CY community probably hasn't been long enough to develop a distinct dialect.

It is a distinct dialect as it is discernible as such. The fact it has many Anglicised words in the lexicon and more particularly, because the pronunciation is Angliphied, it can be considered as another dialect of Greek, with strongest similarity to most regional dialects in Cyprus.

Since the Academy's attempts to call it a language is based on writing it phonetically ... the pronunciation element is paramount!

The phrases and sayings that we use here in London are identical to those used in CY CY (see the section on the Academy site above for a long list of phrases). So we have a situation where a 100% Urban Community (London CYs) uses sayings and phrases derived exclusively from the old CY village environment.

They can't be "identical" because there are many variations in Cyprus alone!

Agreed that London CY has acquired a small number of words from English.... In much the same way as Greek, German and even French(!) - we are not going to call French a Dialect of English are we now?

Nope, those are national languages, just as the national language of Cyprus is Greek. Your "London CY" is another dialect of Greek.

Cypriot as spoken/PRONOUNCED by Londoners and anyone else in the Diaspora, is an ACCENT.

No problem! Try developing a satisfactory phonological representation of the infinite variations of London CY as spoken by those in Wood Green compared to those in Finchley

Finchley Cypriot! Wood Green Cypriot! Croydon Cypriot! London Green Belt Cypriot! ( ) Still a matter (probably class-based; petit bourgeois versus proletariat) of ACCENT. ..................Gori!

..............................

[The Cypriot]

http://wikipriaka.com
http://wikipriaka.com/en/more

.... Sorry! .... That's all Greek to me!

A mother must love her child enough to know when to let it go. Unfortunately Greek mothers never do...

You forget to mention the Facebook site... with coming up to three and a half thousand members, mainly young people, mainly Cypriots (including Turkish Cypriots) in Cyprus, who are defying their 'mothers' and are proud to speak CYPRIOT.

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7013787203

[The Cypriot]

Finchley Cypriot! Wood Green Cypriot! Croydon Cypriot! London Green Belt Cypriot! ( ) Still a matter (probably class-based; petit bourgeois versus proletariat) of ACCENT. ..................Gori!

..............................

Can I say how impressed I am with the consistency of your language and also your spelling, Bill. (Can't comment on the accent).

You get Alfa Ariston from the...