Greek Language

These are some Greek language programs that I have used and enjoyed which will help you better understand what is going on around you in Greece.

Greek Language ProgramThe Read and Speak Greek CD-Rom program by Dr. George Balanis and his wife Toula is a fun way to learn. I bought it for my 6-year old daughter and I use it as well. I have recommended this to many people.  It's like taking years of Greek classes. Easy to use. If you know some Greek but want to fill in the gaps this is a great way to jumpstart your language skills and if you are just a beginner this is a great way to begin.

For more information on his programs for learning Greek visit www.greecetravel.com/anotek

I Learn Greek language programYou can use this website to help you learn Greek for your trip. It can be used as a reference guide for those of you who are already taking Greek classes, or as a simplified course for those who want to start with the basics. Steve Aronis has put a lot of work into his site and everytime I look it gets better and better. Steve created this site for everyone that wants to learn the modern Greek language on the internet. He has included complete simplified grammar and tests. I Learn Greek.com also has a Vocabulary directory that contains more than 3000 words and phrases complete with phonetics translation and some of them sound!

The Modern Greek Language Series by Matina Psyhogeos has grown out of the need for a comprehensive Beginning through Intermediate-Advanced course for the student of the Greek language. The strict criterion is that techniques and principles of this curriculum are presented simply and methodically. The Psyhogeos Program has been tested and applied extensively in high schools and colleges and was presented, by its developer - the highly regarded educator - in many conferences, seminars and workshops in the US and other English-speaking countries with excellent results. It offers a variety of books for the study of the Greek language by the student at home or under the supervision of an instructor when the student is very young. (However I started on this program when I was 48 and I think it is great-Matt)
For more info see www.greeklanguagecourses.com

Simple Greek for Travelers
Simple Greek for Travelers
This tape, though not as essential as toothepaste or a bathing suit. It will keep you from having that bumbling idiot feeling you get when you are in a country where you don't know one word of the language. You won't be discoursing on the Greek philosophers but you will be able to ask where the bathroom is, order in restaurants and make your way around without pointing or talking louder in English to make yourself understood.

The Phonetic Method is a simple,  practical,  self taught course in Greek language for children or adults. The course offers vocabulary most frequently used in daily life and brief dialogues for everyday situations. For $39 (including shipping and handling) you get a book and two 90 minute cassettes, but the best part is that Helen Dumas is available three evenings a week to help students with any problems they may encounter. Helen Dumas is the Director of Greek Education and Culture for the Western United States
For more information contact
speakgreeknow@aol.com
Let her know you read about it in Matt's Athens Survival Guide.

English-Greek Electronic Dictionaries and Translators


Ectaco, Inc. develops the best multi-purpose electronic dictionaries and translators! Recently they were featured in PCWorld magazine and received the prestigious Innovation Award for Design and Engineering. The state-of-the-art technology along with the most advanced linguistic research, make these personal electronic dictionaries absolutely unique. The product line, language combinations, winning super low prices make Ectaco dictionaries a valuable tool for travelers to Greece (and elsewhere).

In addition to conventional dictionary entries, these devices feature phrases, idioms, irregular verbs, grammar references and linguistic games. The built-in voice synthesis technology produces high-quality voice output in multiple languages. Dictionary organizers have all standard and lots of additional handy features. Some models can even translate incoming and outgoing e-mail messages and faxes automatically! Digital voice recorders allow storing up to 15 minutes of human speech. For more info click on the banner above.

For Greek language courses in Athens and on the islands visit www.greecetravel.com/schools

 

Matt's Helpful Words and Phrases

( italics are accented sylables)

  • Hello: ya -sou
  • Yes: neh
  • No: oh -khe
  • Please and You are welcome: pah-rah-kah- low
  • Thank-you: ef-khar-ee- stow
  • How are You?: Tee-kah -nees
  • Fine: kah-la
  • What is your name?: pos-seh- leh-neh
  • My name is....: meh-leh -neh......
  • I'm from..(America): ee -meh ap -oh....(Am-eh-ree- kee)
  • I don't understand Greek: then cat-ah-la- ven-oh eh-len-ee- kah
  • Do you speak English?: Mee-las ang-lee- ka
  • Goodbye: ya -sou (or ah-dee -oh)
  • Where is: poo ee -neh
  • how much: pos -oh kah -nee
  • It's too much: ee-neh po-lee
  • food: fag-ee- toh
  • water: neh-row
  • bank: trap -ez-ah
  • post office: tach-ee-dro- mee-oh
  • restaurant: es-ti-ah- tor-ion
  • hotel: ksen-oh-tho- khee -on
  • breakfast: proy-ee- no
  • bus: lay-oh-for- ee-oh
  • toilet: toy- let -tah
  • beach: par-ee- lee -ah
  • harbor: lee- man -ee
  • I would like a ticket for...: thell -oh eh -na iss-ee- tee-ree-oh yah... 
    You can try out this mini transaltor from Ectaco which I think is pretty cool:

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