Learn to speak Greek  

Greek Language

Greek CD-ROM
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Where does Greek come from?
The Greek language is a member of the Indo-European family of languages. Modern Greek stems directly from the common language, and dates from the fall of the Byzantine Empire in 1453.

Modern Greek is a southern dialect adopted as a standardised version of the language and differs substantially from Katharevousa, the artificial language put in place by various right-wing puritanical regimes last century. Katharevousa is still evident on street signs and causes much confusion for tourists.

How many people speak Greek?
Modern Greek is spoken today by about 12 million people.

In how many countries?
It's the official language of Greece and one of the official languages of Cyprus. Modern Greek is spoken today chiefly in Greece and the Greek islands, in Albania, Canada, Italy, Macedonia, Turkey and the United States.

Greek Culture

A spot of Culture
The arts have been integral to Greek life since ancient times. The culture of ancient Greece had a major influence on the development of Western civilization. Greek literature's ancient heritage spans poetry, drama, philosophical and historical treatises, and travelogues.

Philosophy
Western civilisation's quest for logic and 'ideas' can be traced directly back to the musings of ancient Greek philosophers such as Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. Western sciences, arts and politics are also deeply indebted to classical Greece.

Greek Music and Dance
The peak of musical activity in Greece came during the classical age (450-325 BC), when annual festivals and contests of vocal and instrumental music were held.

The principal instruments were two forms of lyre, the lyra and the kithara; and a double oboe, the aulos. They were all used as solo instruments and to accompany singing and recitation. Stringed instruments were associated with religious ceremonies and the cult of Apollo, and wind instruments were used in the cult of Dionysus and in drama.

Dance is one of the oldest and most important social and artistic expressions of the Greek people. Greek folk dances are classified as either syrtos, shuffling dances, or pidiktos, leaping dances. Both dances are performed in a circular motion, though shuffling dances offer greater variety in rhythms, melodies, and steps.

Greek Food and Drink
Snacks such as souvlaki (skewered, grilled meat in pitta bread) and spanakopita (spinach and cheese pie) are popular, while main dishes include moussakas (eggplant baked with minced meat and béchamel sauce), stuffed tomatoes, and freshly grilled seafood. Greek country salad consisting of cucumber, tomatoes, onions, feta cheese and olives, is a ubiquitous feature of the Greek diet.

Typical Greek drinks include ouzo, tsipouro and raki.

Greek Attractions
Athens: The modern city of Athens is a colourful blend of East and West. It's a run-down city but is home to some of the most famous and historically important ruins in the world. The Acropolis, crowned by the Parthenon, stands sentinel over Athens and is visible from almost everywhere in the city. The Erechtheion is immediately recognisable for its much-photographed Caryatids, the six maidens who take the place of columns. Also in Athens is Ancient Theatre of Dionysus, where every Athenian citizen took their turn in the chorus of Greek tragedies. . On the verge of the area known as Plaka, there is the ancient Agora (marketplace) which formed the centre of social and civic life in ancient Athens.

About Talk Now! Language CD-ROMs
This is an excitingly different language learning series. Talk Now! uses games and quizzes as a basis for making the learning process fun, easy and relaxing. There is no better way to teach an old dog new tricks and this fun element of the program means that your fears are forgotten as you absorb words and phrases without even realising you are learning them.

Talk Now! is the world's best selling language learning CD-ROM series for beginners, used by more than three million people to date. It's ideal for travellers, holidaymakers, business people, schoolchildren, students and families.

Anyone over 10 years of age will find the disc indispensable for improving listening, understanding and spoken language skills. There are nine topics: first words, food, colours, phrases, parts of the body, numbers, time, shopping and countries.

The games and quizzes included on the disc ensure that users have fun whilst using the disc, without realising that they're learning. The "intelligent" software feature remembers words you get wrong and targets your weak points.

"This is an excitingly different language learning series. Talk Now! Uses games and quizzes as a basis for making the learning process fun and relaxing." - PC Answers

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