Having explored ten myths in our previous discussion, let’s now delve into the next set of myths surrounding the Greek language and its usage.
11.
Debunked: The myth that double negatives are always incorrect is rooted in the rules of Standard English, where a double negative often creates a positive meaning.
In Greek, double negatives are not only correct but required to express negation properly.
The sentence Δεν θέλω τίποτα (Den thelo tipota) translates to “I don’t want anything.” In this sentence, both Δεν (not) and τίποτα (nothing) are needed to correctly convey the meaning of “I don’t want anything.”
In Greek, using a single negative would be incorrect and ungrammatical. The double negative reinforces the negation rather than canceling it out.
12.
Debunked: The myth that the only way to form a question is by changing the word order is not true in many languages, including Greek. Questions can be formed in various ways, such as using intonation, adding question words, or using question particles. Let’s explore this concept with some examples.
- Statement: Ο Γιάννης είναι στο σπίτι. (O Yiannis eene sto spiti.) – John is at home.
- Question: Ο Γιάννης είναι στο σπίτι; (O Yiannis eene sto spiti?) – Is John at home?
Here, the word order remains the same as the statement. The question is indicated by the question mark and the rising intonation when spoken.
- Statement: Αυτό είναι το βιβλίο σου. (Afto eene to vivlio su.) – This is your book.
- Question: Αυτό είναι το βιβλίο σου; (Afto eene to vivlio su?) – Is this your book?
Again, the word order is the same, with the question mark or rising intonation signaling a question.
As you can see, in Greek, word order is more flexible, and questions can be formed without changing the word order, relying instead on intonation or punctuation.
13.
Debunked: The perfect tense is a common and essential aspect of many languages, including Greek. It is used to describe actions that have been completed at some point in the past but are relevant to the present. This tense is essential for expressing experiences, ongoing situations, and completed actions with present relevance, debunking the myth that it is rarely used.
14.
Debunked: Greek indeed has continuous aspects, which are expressed through specific verb forms and constructions. These aspects are used to describe actions that are ongoing, habitual, or incomplete at a given time. The continuous aspects in Greek are typically conveyed through the use of the present and imperfect tenses, among others.
15.
Debunked: Greek is a pro-drop language, meaning that subject pronouns are often omitted because the verb endings provide sufficient information about the subject. The verb conjugation changes according to the subject, which makes it clear who is performing the action. Pronouns are used when emphasis or additional clarity is needed but are not required for every sentence. This flexibility debunks the myth that pronouns must always be used for clarity.
Without Pronoun:
- Πήγα στην αγορά. (Piga stin agora.) – I went to the market.
The pronoun εγώ (ego – I) is omitted because the verb conjugation πήγα indicates the subject is “I.”
With Pronoun:
- Εγώ πήγα στην αγορά. (Ego piga stin agora.) – I went to the market.
Adding the pronoun εγώ (I) can emphasize the subject, but it is not necessary for clarity.
16.
Debunked: The myth that Greek spelling is straightforward and phonetic is not entirely accurate, especially when it comes to vowels and certain combinations of letters. Greek does have phonetic elements in its spelling system, but there are several instances where the same sound can be represented by different combinations of letters or where one letter can represent multiple sounds.
17.
Debunked: In Greek grammar, splitting infinitives is not only acceptable but also a regular and natural feature of the language. It allows speakers to manipulate sentence structure for emphasis and clarity without any grammatical concerns.
Example of Splitting an Infinitive in Greek
Infinitive:
- κάνω (kano) – to do
Splitting the Infinitive:
- Example: να το κάνεις (na to kanees) – to do it
In this example:
- να (na): the particle indicating the infinitive mood
- το (to): it (direct object)
- κάνεις (kanees): you do (second person singular present tense of κάνω)
The infinitive να κάνεις (to do) is split by the direct object το (it), which is positioned between να and the verb κάνεις. This structure is perfectly acceptable and commonly used in Greek to emphasize the direct object or to clarify the meaning of the infinitive phrase.
18.
Debunked: While generally true, there are some adjectives that usually originate from foreign languages and exhibit the same morphological form in all cases and genders in Greek. Let’s see some examples:
- Το πουκάμισό της είναι ριγέ. (to pukamiso tis eene riye) – Her shirt is striped.
- Το παιδί φοράει μπλε παπούτσια. (to pedi foraee ble paputsia) – The child is wearing blue shoes.
- Είναι ντυμένες πολύ σικ. (Eene ntimenes polee sic) – They are dressed very stylishly.
19.
Debunked: While Greek does have a simple future tense formed with θα followed by the present tense of the main verb (e.g., θα πάω (tha pao) – I will go), there are also other constructions and expressions that convey future actions or intentions. Let’s see some examples:
Using είμαι να + verb:
- Είμαι να πάω στο σινεμά. (Eeme na pao cinema) – I am about to go to the cinema.
είμαι να πάω indicates an action that is planned or intended to happen soon.
Using πάω να + verb:
- Πάω να φάω τώρα. (pao na fao tora) – I am going to eat now.
In this construction, πάω να indicates an immediate future action that is about to happen.
20.
Debunked: While the written form of Greek has maintained continuity from Ancient to Modern times, the language itself has undergone significant changes in pronunciation, syntax, vocabulary, and punctuation. These changes reflect the language’s adaptation to historical, cultural, and linguistic influences over millennia. Therefore, assuming that the pronunciation rules of Ancient Greek directly apply to Modern Greek is a misconception, as both forms of the language have distinct characteristics shaped by their respective historical contexts and evolutionary paths.
There you have it! Twenty Greek grammar myths, busted and demystified. From borrowed words to the intricacies of verb tenses, we’ve tackled it all. So next time someone throws a grammar rule your way that sounds a bit off, you can confidently set the record straight. Keep on speaking, writing, and most importantly, enjoying the beautiful and intricate Greek language!
