Cyprus-Forum.com

[Stephanie77]

Hello and Yasus

I just arrived in Cyprus to begin research on the way Cypriot Greek is used in the schools, at home, with friends, and at work. Doing a quick Google search, I have found articles that tell me that you Cypriots need to speak two dialects of Greek in your daily life--you speak Cypriot Greek at home and with your friends, and you speak what they call the Standard Modern Greek at school and when dealing with the government. If this is still true, that sounds pretty complicated. How do you guys manage? Does this cause conflict? Do you wish that it was only Cypriot Greek that was used in schools?

My background: I have studied a little Classical Greek and am learning Modern Greek. I am an American who has lived abroad and speak other languages. I have been studying Socio-linguistics and have published articles.

Thanks in advance for your time,

Stephanie

[Sotos]

If this is still true, that sounds pretty complicated. How do you guys manage?

We have an average IQ of 175 But of course there are is a small minority of people with a low IQ who can't cope... those are the ones who complain about this.

[Sotos]

Joking aside, there is nothing different in Cyprus from other Greek islands or other Greek regions. Every region, main island or cluster of smaller islands has its own dialect. Standard Greek is just the standardized form of the language. It is the same with many other countries... there are big differences among some UK regions, same with Germany etc. So nothing difficult or unique about Cyprus. The issue is not linguistic but political. The British and the Turks did not allow Cyprus to be part of Greece and they are trying to isolate us as much us possible from the rest of Greeks. The more isolated we are the easier it is for them to violate our rights and occupy our lands.

[CBBB]

Joking aside, there is nothing different in Cyprus from other Greek islands or other Greek regions. Every region, main island or cluster of smaller islands has its own dialect. Standard Greek is just the standardized form of the language. It is the same with many other countries... there are big differences among some UK regions, same with Germany etc. So nothing difficult or unique about Cyprus. The issue is not linguistic but political. The British and the Turks did not allow Cyprus to be part of Greece and they are trying to isolate us as much us possible from the rest of Greeks. The more isolated we are the easier it is for them to violate our rights and occupy our lands.

The poor lady asked a reasonable question and you do a GiG on her!

[GreekIslandGirl]

Hi Stephanie

I take it you're not a linguist, right? Do you speak American English or British English? Most Cypriots speak Cypriot Greek. But there's more.

Most languages not only have a variety of dialects but also a wealth of registers.

The language I speak as a scientist, to fellow scientists, is different to the language I speak when I am talking with my Arts graduate friends. This comes under register. This may be in Greek or in English - both have registers of language.

Then, there are formal and informal and neutral dialects.

Yes, languages are rich and complex and require brainpower.

P.S. This is from the British Council Website, it might give you a start toward thinking linguistically:

Register often refers to the degree of formality of language, but in a more general sense it means the language used by a group of people who share similar work or interests, such as doctors or lawyers.

[GreekIslandGirl]

Joking aside, there is nothing different in Cyprus from other Greek islands or other Greek regions. Every region, main island or cluster of smaller islands has its own dialect. Standard Greek is just the standardized form of the language. It is the same with many other countries... there are big differences among some UK regions, same with Germany etc. So nothing difficult or unique about Cyprus. The issue is not linguistic but political. The British and the Turks did not allow Cyprus to be part of Greece and they are trying to isolate us as much us possible from the rest of Greeks. The more isolated we are the easier it is for them to violate our rights and occupy our lands.

The poor lady asked a reasonable question and you do a GiG on her!

Were you looking over my shoulder as I typed?

[miltiades]

Written Greek IS THE SAME . Only the accent / dialect is different and most Cypriots can switch from Cypriot accent to Greek accent . The Cypriot dialect is considered to be " harsher" than the Greek accent, in fact the Cypriot accent / dialect is very rich and quite distinctive.

[Paphitis]

Hello and Yasus

I just arrived in Cyprus to begin research on the way Cypriot Greek is used in the schools, at home, with friends, and at work. Doing a quick Google search, I have found articles that tell me that you Cypriots need to speak two dialects of Greek in your daily life--you speak Cypriot Greek at home and with your friends, and you speak what they call the Standard Modern Greek at school and when dealing with the government. If this is still true, that sounds pretty complicated. How do you guys manage? Does this cause conflict? Do you wish that it was only Cypriot Greek that was used in schools?

My background: I have studied a little Classical Greek and am learning Modern Greek. I am an American who has lived abroad and speak other languages. I have been studying Socio-linguistics and have published articles.

Thanks in advance for your time,

Stephanie

I'm a Greek Speaker and often can't understand the Cypriot Language as I speak Kalamaristika. Cypriots call me Kalamara or Squid in English. Cypriot has a lot of foreign external influences from the British and the Italian Language from the Venetian period. These influences are quite good, but there is the odd Turkish/Ottoman word in the Cypriot Language. But thankfully, thanks to the British influence, the Ottoman Psyche seems to be more confined to Greece.

It's not like the Brits and Americans who can understand each other despite the accents. Cypriot is more like Australian and no the Brits and Americans can't understand Australian too well. No one understands Cypriots or Australians.

But it could be worse. Try understanding Kiwi or Tasmanian. Only their Bros can understand them.

When a good looking female says the word six (sux), I say Yes Please!

[Sotos]

Lots of Turkish, English and Italian words in mainland Greek as well. And of course lots of Greek words in all other European languages.

[Sotos]

I take it you're not a linguist, right?

She said she is studying Socio-linguistics... but I guess she didn't learn much in the linguistics department yet. That's why she thinks that knowing 2 dialects is so difficult. I know a couple, Cypriot and Polish, and their 9 year old daughter can speak Greek, Polish and English perfectly (for her age)