Greek language?

Question

I read, write & speak Dutch, French, German & English.
A regular visitor to Greece since 1992, several times a year, and still wondering why it is so difficult to learn your language.
Those who have gone through the same experience, or Greeks that have known people eager to learn their language and succeeded, plse give me some hints how to move on..

Answer 1

Cause Grek is not similar with any other language. You need many many years to learn even to write properly. The only thing which can in some way help you is to talk with greeks and try to understand what they are saying. Normal in other languages is also to read newspapers or watching tv.

Answer 2

First of all, can you read? The alphabet is not so different (in fact the latin alphabet is actually a greek alphabet, just with slight variations). Try to learn how to read, it will help a lot.
Greek is a language that doesn't belong to any of the families of languages you know (latin or germanic). So you need to study it from scratch. However, once you start learning, it gets easier, because you realize that many greek words are found in other languages, plus modern greek contains some latin words. So you get the gist of it quite soon. The grammar is a bit complex, but if you have learned German you will have no problem (German is much harder).
The proof is that so many foreigners who live in Greece find it difficult at first, but they soon become fluent in Greek without much difficulty. So you need to start studying a bit, and then you will see how it will get easier.

Answer 3

The fact is that Greek IS difficult but I believe you have some advantages. As it seems, you are good at languages (very important prerequisite), you speak German, which in some strange ways has a lot in common in grammar and syntax as Greek (in fact, modern Greek is easier than German) and you meet native speakers rather often. However, you would need to study, unless you are the acoustic type of learner - and then you would need to get in more contact with native speakers.
You could find nowadays plenty of Greek learning books for foreigners according to your level (absolute beginner or more advanced) - downtown in Athens, for instance. Or you could get a teacher in your country (many Greeks i.e in Germany give lessons for an additional income, you would need to track down a greek association). Unfortunately, there is not much going on on the Internet.
And when you master some phrases in Greek, do not get disappointed when people will reply to you in English, just go on with your limited Greek and they will soon realise that you try to learn the language. Moreover, if they correct you, do not get frustrated, this is often a mechanic reflex (rarely do they want to make you feel bad). In either case, by the correction, you will learn.

Answer 4

Most languages are similar to each other, Greek is unique and that makes it difficult to learn. Try to find a friend that speaks Greek to help you get familiar with the language or you can use audiovisual lessons, or books, but the best solution is to spend some time in Greece and why not take some courses.
Well for the time being you can start with the basic words that can be found in: http://www.explorecrete.com/various/greek-language.htm

Good luck!

Answer 5

I have tried once to teach Greek to a Hungarian. He got it immediately and he was speaking Greek fluently within a year. Then again, I have tried to learn Dutch myself for the last 6 years and I always failed..so I quit!. Partly because I developed some negative feelings about the Netherlands, its people and its Calvinist culture that prohibited me to be receptive. But my wife speaks the language fluently...

All I try to say is that it is dependent on your motivation, your eagerness, the need and the environment that surrounds you.
Its all personal. Greek is not necessarily harder than any other language.

There is only one way: go out there and speak to Greek people that speak no other language than Greek. Get to socialize with them every day. Within a month you will see a dramatic difference. Its tough but it works.

Answer 6

Dutch and German languages are very similar. English language originates from German Saxon roots, but has adopted thousands of French words. Therefore, all the languages you know and speak have something, even distant, in common.
Greek language does have indeed common Indoeuropean origins with the rest of European languages, but very early became independant and for geographical and hostorical reasons has only cousin but no sister languages (as are Spanish and Italian, or German and Dutch) any longer.
This is the reason why vocabulary, pronounciation and grammar are difficult enough for the rest of Europeans to learn.
Foreigners who succeded in learning the Greek language are only the ones who moved to Greece and lived here. Any other method, like studying Greek from a distance, cannot produce sufficient results....

Answer 7

You simply need a sort of incentive that doesn't coincide with
people's immediate approvation and consideration. The new language is meant to be a dress suited for your words, readings and thinking, and no matter if you don't 'contain the same things' of other people! This, I obviously mean, if others' Tipps aren't meant to be didatìctical ones....and I ever have felt this, the extreme freedom to understand that languages give as a present to you.

Silvia Goi

Answer 8

Well I am not Greek, but I plan on traveling abroad one day and I have been using the Rosetta stone language software's to learn Italian and Greek and Gaelic. Just do a web search for Rosetta stone

Answer 9

Like other languages if you haven't contact with natural speakers, you can't learn language. Find on line friend Greek who will speak with you only on Greek. Find Greek TV chanel or read Greek book, easear will be for you if you start first with Greek books about kids. Regards

Answer 10

Greek is a language that you cannot compare to another or to say it differently it isnt similiar to another.
i learned Greek once i came into contact with Greek people.
at first i sucked but now my speech is not perfect, you can understand that it isnt my native but i as time flys i am getting.
so it is going to be hard at first but if you stick to it you will success what you want