Cyprus-Forum.com

[jazzy1]

well, I have picked up alot from my husbands family as its the language they talk in their house even when Iam there
I found it very difficult at first but its getting easier.

I can undersatnd alot, but my speech is slow, could proberly get buy with the basic everyday conversation.
I also learnt alot from Courses (books and tapes) these were fantastic.

Only problem is I am learning Greek and not cypriot Greek.

So I think I am proberly going to just confuse myself.
xx

[Strahd]

Only problem is I am learning Greek and not cypriot Greek.

As it has been said before Cypriot Greek is not a language, it is a dialect. So it is like learning english and then going to scotland a couple of special words the odd syntax and a few different sounds. Finally Cypriot dialect cannot be written as with most dialects and is not used in Radio or TV(apart from some local comedy shows which are crap anyway:))

[Cypriotatheart]

I had great trouble learning to speak Cypriot. The events in My Big Fat Greek Wedding with being told the wrong word, in humour, are very much a reality to those of us who have lived in the Cypriot community. Your segar Segar, (I always think siga, siga) reminds me of an occasion soon after I moved to Cyprus. My partner parked for me and as I crossed the road he called siga, siga and I got no answer when I said "How many?" but being always helpful I duly purchased a box of Hamlets. He was very pleased but very surprised with this gift. I said "But you were calling Cigar, Cigar to me so I thought that was what you wanted". How we both laughed when he explained the Cypriot to me.

[simonwjones]

I wanna learn Greek but cant find any 'dummy' books to learn Greek. My local college does courses for 75 GB pounds (my keyboard doesnt have pound sign ) .

Surely this isnt the only way?

[mafiot4e]

well, i found this smth for complete dummies like myself here:
http://www.kypros.org/LearnGreek/


dont laugh..

[simonwjones]

well, i found this smth for complete dummies like myself here:
http://www.kypros.org/LearnGreek/


dont laugh..

Cheers mate

[fox]

Lets get something straight Greek Cypriot is not the Dialect........... Greek is!! Whats this nonsense of everything being small............. what are we a land of sissies???? Cypriots should stick to their language and tell those Kalaramas to stop talking like pre-schoolers.

boudaki
byadaki
what the hell is all this AKI???!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Snad]

I am learning with the CD rom from these people

http://www.linkwordlanguages.com/greek.htm

It is quite expensive, but it seems to stick in your mind. Hopefully!!

[Bill]

has any of you newcomers actually learned greek? at least tried? (how'd it go? )
is it only my thinking or knowing or at least trying to speak the language of the country you are living in is a sign of respect to the culture?
or the cypriots are now so used to speaking english to every 2nd person they dont mind?
as an excuse for "why the question" - most countries' residents actually think all other nations are obliged to speak their language once they're in the country. and they are right
all this has nothing to do with tourists...
an awkward wording but i hope u got the idea

Go to classes and learn Greek --- talk / live with Cypriots and learn Cypriot Greek then spend a day in Paphos and get really confused

[andri_cy]

Bill you are not far from the truth. My roommate in college was from Paphos and she seemed to have her own language...