Cyprus-Forum.com

[Oceanside50]

γαμίστρα κρεβάτι....

wheres "teneke"...tin can...or "mastroupas"..bucket, its not on the list....or "vata"...ceramic jug

bucket...??? isn't that a sigla ...???

BillC...file....I think you spelt figs wrong!

It's siga reh!

^^
.... sigla=bucket, siga=figs, seriously

[GreekIslandGirl]

γαμίστρα κρεβάτι....

wheres "teneke"...tin can...or "mastroupas"..bucket, its not on the list....or "vata"...ceramic jug

bucket...??? isn't that a sigla ...???

BillC...file....I think you spelt figs wrong!

It's siga reh!

^^
.... sigla=bucket, siga=figs, seriously

We have papillari in Paphos.

[Paphitis]

γαμίστρα κρεβάτι....

wheres "teneke"...tin can...or "mastroupas"..bucket, its not on the list....or "vata"...ceramic jug

bucket...??? isn't that a sigla ...???

BillC...file....I think you spelt figs wrong!

It's siga reh!

^^
.... sigla=bucket, siga=figs, seriously

We have papillari in Paphos.

That is a Latin word is it not?

Probably of Venetian influence.

I have always wondered what remnants of Venetian influence actually still remain within Cypriot Culture.

For example, we do seem to have many Latin words. Even many Latin names are popular in Cyprus but certainly not in Greece.

For example, my mum's name is Benetia/Venetia, and I do wonder if that was of Venetian origins several centuries ago.

[Flying Horse]

The principal vernacular and traditional lingua franca of Cyprus is Cypriot (or Gibreiga), which is rooted in the ancient Greek used throughout the eastern Mediterranean before the time of Christ. Also spoken on the island is Gibrizlija, introduced by the Ottomans in the sixteenth century, as well as pockets of Armenian and of the sadly almost extinct Sanna (Cypriot Maronite Arabic).

The principal Cypriot vernacular contains many distinct forms of archaic origin not found in the present-day language of Greece. In addition the serial occupations endured by Cypriots over the centuries have left their mark in the form of a vivid multicultural vocabulary: extensive Ottoman, English, French, Italian and other foreign influences have been absorbed to create a powerfully evocative and expressive language. Spoken throughout Cyprus for many generations, Cypriot is also familiar to expatriate Cypriots in the UK, Australia, America and elsewhere.

Important historic texts have been written in what is essentially Cypriot, notably the Assizes (the laws introduced to the island by the Crusaders in the Middle Ages) and Leontios Makhairas’s Chronicle of Cyprus in Frankish times. Despite this, and despite a rich poetic and folk tradition, Cypriot has never achieved proper recognition as a written language variety in its own right. Cypriot has been in decline since the 1950s as a result of the polarisation of the ‘Greek’ and ‘Turkish’ communities of Cyprus. Divisive educational policies and the media have marginalised Cypriot, as well as Gibrizlija, in favour of standardised language forms from the respective ‘mainlands’.

The diminished status of the Cypriot language most particularly affects the newer generations of international Cypriots, who find themselves alienated from their mother tongue. When they try to learn the language of their parents and grandparents, they are introduced to unfamiliar ‘correct’ forms. They are made to feel ashamed of the supposedly vulgar way they speak at home. Not surprisingly, many Cypriots brought up outside Cyprus are unable to communicate effectively or confidently in their ancestral language.

The Cypriot language traditionally used in Cyprus is a cornerstone of Cypriot heritage. The Cypriot Academy seeks to take a leading role in rediscovering and dignifying this distinctive language, making it accessible to Cypriots internationally. To this end the Cypriot Academy has devised a standard means of writing Cypriot using the internationally recognised Latin alphabet.

source

http://www.cypriotacademy.com/our_language.html

[GreekIslandGirl]

http://www.cypriotacademy.com/our_language.html

Unfortunately, this site is the product of a lot of misinformation and idiocy. Not long ago, they were advocating genetics as a form of Cypriot identity (Hitler would have loved them). Now they tell us the equivalent tale of Cypriots as akin to say, Eastenders from London going to live in, say, Germany and complaining that they have to read and write in "English" (to be universally understood) rather than, for example, leave out ""h" from "have a heart", me ole china!

[Flying Horse]

http://www.cypriotacademy.com/our_language.html

Unfortunately, this site is the product of a lot of misinformation and idiocy. Not long ago, they were advocating genetics as a form of Cypriot identity (Hitler would have loved them). Now they tell us the equivalent tale of Cypriots as akin to say, Eastenders from London going to live in, say, Germany and complaining that they have to read and write in "English" (to be universally understood) rather than, for example, leave out ""h" from "have a heart", me ole china!

We have been discussing this thread over our morning coffee together(a rarity, hes always working!) so him being him, goes off and reads 'stuff' of 'interesting contribution'

This link was put in for debate from you guys, I knew you'd find something wrong with it

[GreekIslandGirl]

http://www.cypriotacademy.com/our_language.html

Unfortunately, this site is the product of a lot of misinformation and idiocy. Not long ago, they were advocating genetics as a form of Cypriot identity (Hitler would have loved them). Now they tell us the equivalent tale of Cypriots as akin to say, Eastenders from London going to live in, say, Germany and complaining that they have to read and write in "English" (to be universally understood) rather than, for example, leave out ""h" from "have a heart", me ole china!

We have been discussing this thread over our morning coffee together(a rarity, hes always working!) so him being him, goes off and reads 'stuff' of 'interesting contribution'

This link was put in for debate from you guys, I knew you'd find something wrong with it

You suspected something was not quite right? Do any of the contents jar with you?

[Flying Horse]

No, that's why I've put it up, for you to correct me on whats wrong with it

Sorry, have I put my big foot in something

[Paphitis]

No, that's why I've put it up, for you to correct me on whats wrong with it

Sorry, have I put my big foot in something

No you have not put your foot in it!

That website was authored by ZoC who posts here occasionally. He is a good bloke, has even written a couple of books. He is very sincere and genuine.

He has contributed significantly in recording many Cypriot words. It is a good thing that people like him go through all the effort to provide a website like this that does have a lot of valuable information.

Some people just have some 'personal issues' and get their backs up over anything that is purely Cypriot, which is a real shame!

Since he has been mentioned, he may post himself and you can speak to the author about many of the words!

[GreekIslandGirl]

No, that's why I've put it up, for you to correct me on whats wrong with it

Sorry, have I put my big foot in something

No need to be coy. But it seems you did notice it needed "correcting".

But yes, there are issues around foreign-born observers of Cyprus for whom Greek and all its forms are a secondary language, who have never served their National Service, who are disinterested in Cyprus' long history except where it includes the Turks etc., telling the majority, native-born Cypriots what they are or are not.