When someone says ‘It’s all Greek to me’, this usually means they cannot understand what someone is saying to them – or that something comes across as being too complicated to comprehend. In a nutshell, this describes the Greek language when first encountered by many people. Greek can be a difficult language to learn, not least because it has an entirely different alphabet from other languages, although it can be mastered relatively easily with a little perseverance. Greek is the principle language of Greece and cyprus - and across several thousand years has made a significant contribution to the ‘genetic’ make up of the English vocabulary. 

The alphabet has 24 letters as well as 12 combinations - or diphthongs - and if you can master it you will find speaking the language easier as well as being able to understand signs and notices. The key to speaking and understanding Greek is the stress placed on particular letters, which, when put in the wrong place, can change the meaning completely!  Greek grammar has its challenges, particularly verbs, but it’s easy to acquire a rudimentary understanding of how the language works.

You won’t just ‘pick it up’ – it does require some personal effort to learn. In the same way that young children ‘absorb’ the language they hear around them and speak their language long before they are taught formal grammar, the same applies to those whose first language is not Greek. Cypriots are extremely tolerant of foreigners’ tortured attempts to speak their language and any effort is appreciated, although you may often find that they reply in English! However, help is at hand to enlist you on the roll call of Greek speakers, estimated to number over 10 million across the world. A little effort will produce an enormous sense of satisfaction – and the ability to communicate with people you come into contact with on a daily basis will reap dividends in making your stay in cyprus more rewarding.

Don’t expect to become fluent in a short time unless you have a particular flair for languages or already have a good command of Greek. Unless you desperately need to learn quickly, it’s best to arrange your lessons over a long period. That way you can take assimilate, use and understand the language with greater ease. 

However you decide to proceed, don’t commit yourself to a long course of study, particularly an expensive one, before ensuring that it’s the right course for you.

Most people can teach themselves a great deal online and through the use of books, tapes, videos and CDs. A selection of self-help Greek language learning material is available from the Hestia’s online Shop, visit www.hestia-group.com/news and click on ‘shop’ on the top right.

The Cypriot government, through the cyprus Broadcasting Corporation (CyBC) and in collaboration with a cyprus website (www.kypros.org), offers an online Greek course. This provides a selection of 105 lessons on audio files, online student notes and even an online Greek dictionary. It’s completely free and all you need to do is register on the website (www.cybc.com.cy).

However, even the best students require some help and you can find out about Greek lessons by phoning the Ministry of Education and Culture (00357 22 512 774) who can tell you about the Government Institute for Foreign Languages in the various localities of cyprus.

Greek Language for Foreigners classes is held (usually in the afternoons and evenings) at some of the state schools in cyprus during term time at nominal cost. Private language schools can be found in the Yellow Pages directory under ‘Institutes’. Private teachers offering one-to-one tuition advertise in English-speaking newspapers such as The cyprus Mail and the local newsletters aimed at the ex-pat audience often promote similar services. Most schools and teachers offer free tests to help you find your appropriate level and a free introductory lesson.

So, before too long, if someone says ‘It’s all Greek to me’ you can reply with a degree of confidence and self-assurance: ‘Yes …. I know!’
 

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