FROM CLASSICAL TO BIBLICAL TO NEOHELLENIC GREEK
Bringing to the earnest learner of Greek, whether at the beginning, advanced, or professional level, the authentic sounds of Greek.
The purpose of this site is to share works that:
- Describe the historical Greek sounds from Classical Attic to the present (Vol. I);
- Compare the sounds of “Koine” Greek and Modern Greek (Vol. I);
- Create an awareness of the ramifications of artificial pronunciations of Greek (Vol. I); and
- Provide learning tools for reading, pronouncing, and comprehending Greek (Vol. II & Vol. III).
Added benefit: As a user of any of these books, you are entitled to ongoing individual Q & A sessions with the author via e-mail on matters related to the Greek language and/or the Greek NT text.
CONTACT: NTGreek@att.net
ATTIC EPIGRAPHS SPEAK (EXCERPT, Vol. I)
In his VOX GRAECA: The Pronunciation of Classical Greek, today’s leading Erasmian pronunciation author, W. Sidney Allen, makes certain claims about Greek phonology that are as un-Greek as the Latin title of his book. Read these three critical excerpts from Vol. I.
ON SIDNEY ALLEN’S TREATMENT OF ATTIC ΦΘΧ, ΠΤΚ
ON SIDNEY ALLEN’S TREATMENT OF ATTIC ASPIRATE H[h]
ON SIDNEY ALLEN’S TREATMENT OF THE ATTIC VOCALIC SYSTEM
Here are THREE BOOKS ( Vol. I, Vol. II, Vol. III ) and FIVE VIDEOS designed for the learner of Greek and the professional who wishes to explore the HISTORICAL GREEK PRONUNCIATION (HGP):
READING AND PRONOUNCING BIBLICAL GREEK (Vol. I) (EXCERPT)
Concise, Clear, Revealing. Written for Students and Scholars.
How should I read and pronounce New Testament Greek? Vol. I comes in two parts. In Part One the stage is set through a historical overview of the development of Κοινή (Koine), followed by a description of the shaping of the Κοινή sounds and their similarity to the sounds of Neohellenic (Modern Greek). The description traces the Κοινή sounds to Classical Attic, thereby bringing into view the full spectrum of the development of the historical Greek sounds from classical times down to the present. The discussion addresses traditional misconceptions about Attic and Κοινή sounds and dismisses misguided views regarding the manner in which Neohellenic is read and pronounced. Part Two discusses the reasons for which, despite the historical evidence, the predominant pronunciation of Greek in institutions of higher learning is the Erasmian. To that end, it gives an account of the genesis and spread of Erasmian and brings to light the commonly unknown effects the Erasmian influence has had on Greek scholarship and learning. The final chapter describes the Greek sounds, while the appendices lend support to the historicity and diachrony of the historical sounds of Greek by examining a number of Classical Attic decrees (courtesy of the Epigraphical Museum in Athens). VIDEO 1 is based on Vol. I.
To order Vol. I through AMAZON click HERE
To order Vol. I through PAYPAL, forward $27 to NTGreek@att.net. FREE SHIPMENT within the continental US.
Outside of USA buyers, please add $14 (per book) for partial cost of shipment. 8.5” x 11” spiral-bound, 8 chapters, 165 pages.
“I am glad that you have written this book and I congratulate you. I am sure it is needed in America. I think, therefore, that your book ought to find a market and quite a few readers should profit from its fine presentation with excellent examples illustrating the discussion. This should prove an indispensable textbook for seminaries and colleges teaching NT Greek.” —Dr. Chrys C. Caragounis, professor of New Testament exegesis at Lund University, Sweden (author of The Development of Greek and the New Testament: Morphology, Syntax, Phonology, and Textual Transmission).
ORTHOGRAPHY AND PHONETICS WORKBOOK (Vol. II) (EXCERPT)
This Workbook serves as a reading, writing, listening, and pronouncing guide to Biblical Greek as well as Neohellenic (Modern Greek). It may be used as supplementary material in a college course, homeschool setting, or self-directed study. It includes written exercises, tests, answer keys, and audiovisual drills and reading passages that are also on the CD. The exercises and sound files will prove helpful to those accustomed to other (non-Greek) methods of pronouncing Greek. VIDEO 2 is based on Vol. II.
To order Vol. II through AMAZON click HERE
To order Vol. II through PAYPAL, forward $24 to NTGreek@att.net. FREE SHIPMENT within the continental US.
Outside of USA buyers, please add $13 (per book) for partial cost of shipment. 8.5” x 11” spiral-bound, 7 chapters, 79 pages. CD 16 files, 1.10 hrs.
“Dr. Zachariou’s … acoustically pleasing audio files make this book a valuable learning aid both to the beginning Greek student and to the established scholar who would like to switch from Erasmian pronunciation to an accurate Historical Greek Pronunciation.” —Dr. George Gunn, Shasta Bible College and Graduate School, Redding, California
“Your book is helpful and has good exercises. I am very impressed with your very clear and crisp recordings. I really appreciate them.” —Dr. Taylor Williams, Professor of Greek and Hebrew, Texas
BIBLICAL GREEK – GRAMMAR ESSENTIALS (Vol. III) (EXCERPT)
Grammar Essentials will benefit the mid-beginning and intermediate student of Greek as well as the advanced seminarian and can be used as a resource by the professional. An all-in-one grammar book, pronunciation guide, and workbook featuring transliterated exercises, grammatical aspect, and translational insights, Grammar Essentials is a select collection of lessons I have shared with learners of Greek over many years. A companion CD goes with select reading exercises.
To order Vol. III through AMAZON click HERE
To order Vol. III through PAYPAL, forward $29 to NTGreek@att.net. FREE SHIPMENT within the continental US.
Outside of USA buyers, please add $15.00 (per book) for partial cost of shipment. 8.5″ x 11” spiral-bound, 15 chapters, 250 pages. CD 16 files, 28 minutes.
“I have learned a lot from Grammar Essentials, Vol III. I found the chapter material and charts organized in a way that can be easily memorized, and the patterns of word endings visually clear. I also enjoyed the fact that the pronunciation is consistent throughout the book. Of great value is the fact that New Testament Greek is not treated as a dead language or one that survives only in the New Testament and the classical writings but as a living language, with most New Testament words being used or understood in Modern Greek today. I also found it helpful to know that New Testament and Modern Greek share many similarities not only in terms of pronunciation alone, but also in terms of vocabulary, syntax, morphology, and general grammar.” —Jordan Rabideau, Canada
Special offer…
Order Vol. I and Vol. II as a bundle for $38 (save over 25%). FREE SHIPMENT.
Forward amount to NTGreek@att.net through PAYPAL.
Offer within the continental US only.
VIDEO 1 (Abridged) Development of the historical Greek sounds (20:46 min.)
This video is an abridged version of the one below:
VIDEO 1 (Original) Development of the historical Greek sounds (28:36 min.)
“This video has the best explanation of spurious diphthongs and why we don’t pronounce iota subscript that I have ever seen. It also does a great job with the historical pronunciation of the rough breather. Then there is the helpful connection between similar types of vowels. … I think this video is very helpful.” —Dr. John Schwandt, Director, Institute of Biblical Greek
“Immense gratitude to you … for the marvelously comprehensive and engaging presentation on Greek pronunciation, enhanced by the valuable historic introduction. And excellent photography, typography, technology! I learned SO much from it and shall pass it on to our students.” —Dr. Edith Pennoyer Livermore, Loyola University, Chicago
VIDEO 2 Alphabet, Sounds, Listening, Reading, Pronunciation (24:05 min.)
“You have produced a very useful tool for introductory students. It is very clear, detailed, but not too long. Thanks.” —Dr. Bradley McLean, University of Toronto, Canada
“[T]his is a very useful video – indeed this is one I can pass on to students. I particularly liked the fact that you read out a passage at the end. All in all, a very useful resource.” —Dr. Chris Tilling, St. Mellitus College, England
“I watched [this video] several times to make sure I had it down. I did not like the textbook way of pronouncing, so this was a blessing! I feel like I can read Greek quickly and naturally!” —Alexander Strickland
VIDEO 3 1 John — A Reading and Pronunciation Exercise using the entire First Epistle of John (35:04 min.)
The reading in this video is intentionally slow in the beginning, then progressively approximates conversational speed, all along allowing the reader to practice repeating the parts being read.
What viewers of this video say: “Finally, finally a real Greek speaks his tongue slowly and distinctly so students can learn. May God bless you for this gift, Sir!” … “Thank you so much for doing this! I’ve learned a lot from this clip.” … “Wonderful reading of the text in a clear and precise voice!”
VIDEO 4 Reading and Pronunciation Tips (1.46 min.).
A very short video with tips for reading Greek.
VIDEO 5 The Epistle to the Ephesians (40.30 min.)
This video, like Video 3, read at a slow-to-moderate speed, enables you to practice reading, listening, and pronouncing Greek using the Neohellenic (Modern Greek) pronunciation. Neohellenic preserves the historical sounds of Greek, so its pronunciation comes very close to the pronunciation of the Κοινή “koine” of the New Testament. The evidence of the historical Greek sounds, collectively referred to as the Historical Greek Pronunciation (HGP), is discussed in Vol. I (above).
This link takes you to the historical, linguistic, and scriptural evidence that addresses the question:
” If we had evidence that Jesus himself spoke and taught in Greek, wouldn’t every Bible student wish to learn to utter Greek words the way Jesus would have uttered them? If, on the other hand, Jesus used only Aramaic, why bother placing so much emphasis on the way Greek ought to be pronounced in the first place? “
A Captivating Biography
An eBook by the same author
The PROSELYTIZER (2011) — From Asia Minor to Crete, Greece. This book is the record of a man’s deeds, thoughts, and motives as he captured them with his pen first, as a refugee teenager, then as a worldly young man, later as a growing Christian, and finally as a minister of the gospel. This gripping account portrays an energetic young man in quest for meaning in life but who, in utter despair, turns suicidal. Miraculously spared from the “claws of Death,” he seeks God and becomes inwardly transformed. Eager to reach his fellow citizens with the message of Christ, he learns unconditional obedience to God as he witnesses divine intervention during business failures, poverty, war, captivity in a German concentration camp, mass execution, hardship, persecution by religious leaders and the authorities, false accusations of proselytizing with gifts and money, and repeated imprisonment for sharing the gospel. A legacy of faithful Christian service, this true story will touch you, encourage you, and uplift you. Foreword by Everett Stenhouse and Glen D. Cole.
Buyer’s review: “…This story begins with tragedy and yet is incredibly inspirational from start to finish. I will treasure this book … as one of the best books I have ever read. This book clearly shows the Holy Spirit’s powerful work in an ordinary man’s life by making his life extraordinary.” —Michael Isham
iPad, iPod touch, iPhone – iTunes click HERE. Kindle, Mac, PC, etc. –AMAZON click HERE.
For a hard copy through PAYPAL, please forward $10 to NTGreek@att.net (FREE SHIPMENT within the continental US.) 20 chapters, 290 pages.
Book excerpts:
CHAPTER 1 CHAPTER 2 CHAPTER 3 CHAPTER 4 CHAPTER 5 CHAPTER 10
Contact the author at: NTGreek@att.net
About the author
Philemon “Phil” Zachariou graduated from high school in Greece and from a Bible school in England, and holds a B.A. and M.A. in applied linguistics and a Ph.D. in religious education. Retired, he writes and teaches Greek and English. During most of his career as an educator and public school administrator he taught, among other college subjects, Greek at California State University, the Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary, Adult Education, and Capital Bible College. He currently teaches at Northwest University.
