Reading Greek: Socrates' Apology (α)

I am a philology student and am sharing these videos as part of my ongoing development in learning ancient Greek. I am not using the "restored pronunciation" for now, although others are welcome to use whichever pronunciation system they choose. I will certainly have made mistakes in the heat of the moment while recording and am open to anybody who can point them out.

A few pronunciation changes I have made since my last Athenaze videos: I was pronouncing "ου" as in "ουτος" wrongly. It should sound like the vowel in "you" rather than "out" as I used to have a habit of saying it.

The other point is pronunciation of Ω ω, which should sound more like the vowel in "horse" than in "go".

Here's a literal translation of the text:

Some people therefore are asking "But Socrates, why are these men slandering you?" What do they have in mind? From where do these slanders arise and this reputation of yours? Speak then, and explain to us. For we do not want to slander you." Therefore I want to explain to you and tell you why these men are slandering me and from where the slanders and this reputation arose. Listen then. And know well that I do not want to joke with you, for perhaps I shall appear to be joking, but you must be assured (know well) that I wish to speak nothing but the truth.
For gentlemen of Athens, I happen to have this reputation on account of some kind of wisdom. Do you want to know what wisdom is? As witness, I want to bring the god at Delphi. For the god at Delphi will bear witness to my wisdom. And indeed it is necessary for the god to speak the truth.
You know Chaerephon, I suppose. He was my companion from childhood, and you know how impetuous Chaerephon was about everything. And Chaerephon once reasoned thus to himself. "That Socrates is wise, I know well. But I want to know if anyone is wiser than Socrates. For perhaps Socrates is the wisest of men. What then must I do? It is clear that I must go to Delphi and consult the oracle. For there is great necessity for the god to speak the truth."
So Charephon went to Delphi and he obtained this oracle in the presence of the god. Do not make a din, gentlemen! For indeed, he asked whether there is anyone wiser than Socrates, and the Pythia answered that no one is wiser.

As we get into more authentic ancient texts our studies in ancient Greek finally start paying off. It's definetly worthwhile! Keep learning and look out for the next part of Socrates' speech which I will upload soon.

Adapted text from Reading Greek by the Joint Association of Classical Teachers.

[jamtea]

I see this was from a few years ago, but I was wondering what text you were using? You posted some pictures on the blog of the text and I like the fact that it has commentary.

[walterm.robertsiiiphd]

The problem with this recording is that it does not sound like a SPEECH -- much less a bitterly sarcastic and biting one full of wit and irony. He sounds like he might has well be reading the phone-book! The biggest tip-off is how well (or not) one handles the enclitics. Even Lombardi in his wonderful Iliad fails to regard them.