HELLENIC: GREEK & CYPRIOT GREEK

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[ZTGSWOrZaki]

Wow it’s very beautiful video you got here andy

[olbiomoiros]

Here is my take on the linguistic history and current status of the Cypriot Dialect.
Firstly I’d like to clarify a common mistake. There was an Ancient Greek dialect unique to Cyprus and Arcadia, called Arcado-Cypriot. However, that dialect became extinct, having been replaced by Koine Greek, and is thus not the ancestor of the current Cypriot Dialect.
Now- for the actual/current Cypriot Greek dialect:
Linguists consider Cypriot Greek to be a dialectal continuum. What does this mean ?
We’ll need to firstly dive into a brief linguistic history of the dialect. Subsequently, I shall comment on the development of the dialect.
Cypriot Greek, having formed as a colloquial local variant of Koine Greek in the Middle Ages, has been constantly developing. Early Cypriot Greek literature (16th century sonnets in Cypriot Greek) are a testament to the continuing development of the dialect. It is, like most dialects a very old dialect, which has been influenced by its conquerors. In the 16th century sonnets, we can see a much older version of the dialect, with more prominent Italian vocabulary. Vasilis Michaelides as well as Dimitris Lipertis are an excellent example of the Cypriot dialect in the 19th century, as well as the early 20th century (for Lipertis). The language used by these two, is more akin to how Cypriot Greek is today, however a Cypriot will notice, a prevalence of more ‘uniquely Cypriot’ vocabulary. It is no question that currently, Cypriot Greek is influenced by Standard Greek and English, which has led to this dialectal continuum, of Cypriot Greek, as spoken today, having different degrees, kind of like a spectrum. One might consider Michaelides’ vocabulary to be genuinely Cypriot, and a current Nicosian’s way of speech less ‘Cypriot’, albeit still unique compared to Standard Greek. Both are however Cypriot Greek, and although different, one must comprehend that Cypriot is an ever developing dialect. Cypriot words used in the 19th century fall out of use, however the dialect has replaced them with other contemporary and equally unique Cypriot words or variations of Standard Greek words. It is also important to note, that Cypriot Greek has some minor regional variations, both in accent and vocabulary.

Here are some examples:

Word for ‘squander/ waste’
ιξηντηλώ (19th century)- καταλύω/ καταϊσεύκω (today)

Word for ‘girlfriend’
φίλη (Nicosia today)- μιτσιά (Limassol today)- καύκα (used in the past, still used by a few today mostly in villages and elderly).

Φίλη in Limassol would simply mean friend, while μιτσιά in Nicosia would simple mean small girl. The two regions use these words differently, while it is likely that older generations would also use the words differently, and/or use completely different vocabulary.

Something that we should certainly not overlook is social class and social setting, in that there seems to exist a ‘middle ground’ between more ‘traditional’ Cypriot Greek and Standard Greek. Classes that wish to present themselves as more distinguished and educated will resort to a more Standard Greek language.

The text above seems to represent a rather ‘common’ Cypriot variety of the 21st century, using what would be considered ‘traditionally Cypriot’ words used today. One should not be surprised however, if in Cyprus, not everyone uses Cypriot to the same degree. I am happy to hear opinions from other Cypriots :)

[KingsleyAmuzu]

Do they sound like Spanish, yes or no?

[qalitifemahasmetarmobej]

I live in cyprus studying Greek for 3 years. It can be a real nightmare as you learn in a local Lyceum the Greek that is spoken in Greece but everywhere on the streets you hear Cypriot Greek and I understand nothing from it 😭

[yorgunsamuray]

Turkish dialect spoken in Cyprus is also really different from Turkish of Turkey. A comparison would be nice.

[roamaroundgisg]

The Greek of Greece sounds Spanish, whereas Cypriot Greek is a tad closer to Portuguese.

This is interesting. I don't know if any of u have noticed.

[The_Rising_Sun-No.]

Can you Greek people understand Cypriot Greek accent?

[Mandobird]

Greek Cypriot is part of a dialect continuum of modern Greek that stretches from Cyprus, to the Dodecanese Islands of Greece.

[harmony]

I understand both, and I am from Armenia😂💜 Love both!!!

[FreyrNordisk]

I thought they were literally the same language but seem rather different.

[GiórgosCountryballs]

The cypriot Greek dialect is sick 😲
I'll learn it in my half-birthday
🇬🇷❤🇨🇾

[GianMarzzellino]

Is it like USA English and UK English comparison?

[beakfordclakington]

hi. but is it much further away from mainland greek than any other distant island? God speed anyway

[claudioflocco]

in percentage % how much they are mutually intelligible?

[Meander]

For those who want to find the text:Luke 15 : 11

[KingsleyAmuzu]

Could you make Spanish and German or they're different?

[balak]

So Cypriot have the "tch" sound.

[pnarkkat]

Wow Cypriot Greek sounds way similar to Cypriot Turkish as accent. Greek sounds more formal like Istanbul Turkish. I hope you can also add Cypriot Turkish to your channel.. 🙌🏻 ❤

[GiaLogous]

Εν ξέρω αν πάει με περιοχές
Εγιω πάντως εν λαλώ "εκαταΐσεψεν"
Λαλώ "εκατάλησεν"

[darladallddoria]

The word γουρούνι is not official..
The official word for the Greek and Greek - Cypriot dialect is XOIPOΣ