Lesson 1 The Greek Alphabet
Capital Letters Α Β Γ ∆ Ε Ζ Η Θ Ι Κ Λ Μ Ν Ξ Ο Π Ρ Σ Τ Υ Φ Χ Ψ
Small Letters α β γ1 δ ε ζ η θ ι κ λ µ ν ξ ο π ρ σ/ς2 τ υ φ χ ψ
Name Alpha Beta Gamma Delta Epsilon Zeta Eta Theta Iota Kappa Lambda Mu Nu Xi Omicron Pi Rho Sigma Tau Upsilon Phi Chi Psi
Ω
ω
Omega
Pronunciation a as in father b as in ball g as in gift d as in debt e as in met dz as in adz e as in obey th as in theme i as in pit k as in kiln l as in long m as in man n as in no x as in relax o as in omelet p as in pay r as in ring s as in sing t as in tale u as in tune ph as in phone ch as in chemical ps as in taps/psychology o as in tone
Vowels These are the Greek vowels with their English equivalents: α a ε short e η long e, but pronounced like long a ο short o ι i υ u ω long o 1
Before another γ, or before κ, or χ, γ is pronounced “ng” i.e. αγγελος (angel)
2
ς is used when sigma is at the end of a word, elsewhere σ is used.
Lesson 1 (continued) Writing the letters These letters are written on the line: α ε ι κ ν ο π σ τ υ ω These letters are written on and partly below the line: γ η µ ρ ς χ These letters are written on and partly above the line: δ θ λ These letters are written on, above and below the line: β ζ ξ φ ψ The Diphthongs Two vowels often unite in a syllable to form a single sound: a diphthong. (They are formed by a combination of an open and a closed vowel (in that order) except in the case of υι which is formed by two closed vowels.) The common or proper diphthongs are as follows: αι pronounced like ai as in aisle ει pronounced like ei as in freight οι pronounced like oi as in oil αυ pronounced like au as in kraut ευ pronounced like eu as in feud ου pronounced like ou as in group υι pronounced like ee as in wee Breath marks Every Greek word beginning with a vowel or diphthong must have a breathing mark. Greek has two breathing marks: 1. the smooth breathing mark: ’ 2. the rough breathing mark: ‘ (which calls for a “h” sound and curves in the direction of a “c”.) Thus ηδη is pronounced ada, while ηµηρα is pronounced hamera. There are no rules to indicate which breathing mark is to be used. The rough breath mark could change the meaning of a word. Accent marks There are three accent marks in Greek. These stand over vowels (never consonants) and over the second vowel in the case of a diphthong. An acute accent mark (’) has a rising voice inflection. A grave accent mark (‘) has a falling voice inflection on final syllables. A circumflex accent (^) is a combination of the rising and falling inflections. Punctuation There are four punctuation marks: The Greek period (.) is equal to the English period. The Greek comma (,) is equal to the English comma. The Greek colon ( ) is equal to the English colon or semi-colon. The Greek question mark (;) is made like the English semi-colon.