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I think I just found me a Greek language tutor. Woohoo! I sent two emails to Brown's classics department about two weeks ago and haven't heard anything. Being an impatient person, and wanting to start this NOW, I placed some ads on the bulletin boards of local libraries and coffee shops near the colleges yesterday. Just got a call this morning from a guy who was a professor of classics and has experience in tutoring both Greek and Latin. We're going to speak or meet later today. When asked where he saw my posting it was at the coffee place I often go to where we philosophes meet to go read and study (actually it's mainly a meeting place for caffeinated liberals…but hey). I'm kind of glad about that, because the clientele at this particular cafe is made up mostly of college students, professors, and Providence area intellectuals.So if this works out and the guy's legit, I should be reciting Thucydides in Greek in no time!
That's good news. I, too, will be learning a new language soon. In about a month, actually, I'll need to complete an Italian reading comp test. You also may want to check out the following site (I e-mailed you an invite):http://www.livemocha.comI noticed they have Greek as an option for learning. I haven't tried the site out too much, but it looks good for the basics. It's set up to look like a social web/facebook kind of site, so take that for what it's worth. However, could be a good site to get started with....I'll let you know how I like it.
I should be reciting
ThucydidesAristotle in Greek in no time!I hear Thucydides is classified as one of the more difficult to learn because he uses such complex language structure.
I've tried a few of the lessons on Livemocha and they've been pretty good. Seems like each lesson has a learning, review, writing, and speaking section (I normally skip the latter two because I only need reading comprehension now). It's very good reinforcement, and there are also user-submitted flashcard quizzes, and other features.
I just signed up and tried a little bit of the first lesson. This looks really good. Good find, Phid!
Just had my first lesson today. Certainly not saying it's easy, but it's not as intimidating as I thought. The tutor is pleasant to work with and very clear. Did you know that diploma is a Greek word? I think it's spelled diplomon.
Well congrats on taking the first step. Greek seems like an interesting language to learn, though not the easiest. I wish I knew more Greek myself.
Here is an exam that one needs to pass by the 2nd (I think..maybe 1st) year at Harvard graduate school. I have no idea what this is saying, but it doesn't really look all that difficult. It does seem that schools lower the language requirements slightly when the major is classical history rather than classical studies.
You've probably heard them say that it's difficult for older people to learn a new language. Well take it from me….this is completely true! Man, I am struggling with this week's assignments! :-[ It's partially my fault though. I skipped a week because I had a paper and final to do, and I didn't look at the Greek everyday until this week. Tips for learning a language: start young and review it EVERY day no matter how busy you are.
Went through an intensive Spanish lang. class several summers ago for more NCLB type req'ments. Had had 3rd year Spanish in soph yr of HS (at that time some 35 yr previous) and it was tough but I had that head start. One of my colleagues somhow never had Spanish… he was a bit envious that I remembered things but got even by reminding me that he was born the year I took Spanish 3! 😮
Just when I'm beginning to get used to active and passive voice, the Greeks go and through in a middle voice. Oimoi! (Or as they say in Hebrew, Oy vey!)
Whether or not this is correct, I just translated from Greek:"The boy's father sees the dog, but the boy himself did not see it"but then again it could be "the boy saw the dog, but the father did not" Either way, it's middle voice and 3rd declension. I am really beginning to hate middle voice and 3rd declension.My head is spinning!!!! I had to go and get interested in Greece. Why couldn't it be US history? Oh well, too late now
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