by Lex » Thu Apr 24, 2003 6:41 pm
by Jeff Tirey » Thu Apr 24, 2003 10:26 pm
by Lex » Thu Apr 24, 2003 11:46 pm
by Elucubrator » Fri Apr 25, 2003 12:47 am
(Raya, sorry :-* ) Thucydides and Lysias also write in Attic. But Thucydides is tough in certain spots. Book two of the Pelopponesian wars is purported to contain the most difficult sentence in the Greek language. Demosthenes is also periodic and difficult in parts. Lysias is straightforward and writes along with Xenophon the purest Classical Attic. <br /><br />People often criticise Xenophon for what Jeff had pointed out, but for a beginner it is excellent because he is extremely straightforward and you will feel your abilities improving from one page to the next. <br /><br />:o BUT! and this is a strong BUT! which all beginners should heed. 
<br /><br />Do not be in such a hurry to start reading that you sacrifice attention to the basics of the language, and to the exercises in the grammar books. I have seen many people not really pay enough attention to acquiring the basics. What happens is that they begin reading and end up having to look up every single word and construction, and it's not nearly as much fun as when you know the languages well to begin with and then start your reading programme. Besides most textbooks will have passages for reading that increase in authenticity and difficulty as you progress through the course. You should not take this stage of learning the language lightly and make every effort to lay a strong foundation. From time to time I still go back and write out paradigms to keep sharp. In fact I could really get a lot out of a review right now myself, and though my preferred textbook is Hansen and Quinn's *Greek: an intensive course* I wouldn't mind using White's *first Greek book* since it is available for download here. And if enough people are interested, I'd be willing to start writing an answer key for it as we progress through White together.<br /><br />Any takers?<br /><br />Sebastian
by annis » Fri Apr 25, 2003 1:07 am
<br /><br />Keep your grammar and dictionary handy. Ask questions here!<br /><br />--<br />wmby Lex » Fri Apr 25, 2003 7:10 pm
by Raya » Fri Apr 25, 2003 8:45 pm
<br /><br />As far as cases go - in my experience, the order is inconsequential. The important thing is to know what the cases signify.
by Lex » Fri Apr 25, 2003 9:25 pm
<br />[/quote]<br /><br />That would be nice, but I don't know if I'm ready for it just yet. When I say that I'm a beginner, I mean I just started studying Greek this month. I only have -w conjugation present indicative, future indicative and infinitive tenses and the first two declensions, and those not very well. <br /><br />[quote author=Raya link=board=2;threadid=69;start=0#282 date=1051303503]<br />As far as cases go - in my experience, the order is inconsequential. The important thing is to know what the cases signify.<br />[/quote]<br /><br />Yeah, I was thinking that once I truly get them down, order won't be important. I think that flash card idea that William mentioned is a pretty good idea. I can make declension cards, and shuffle them so I am not using any specific ordering as a crutch.by Elucubrator » Fri Apr 25, 2003 10:23 pm
<br /><br />Sebaby Raya » Sat Apr 26, 2003 3:41 pm
by Lex » Mon Apr 28, 2003 6:41 pm
by Lex » Mon Apr 28, 2003 7:27 pm
by Elucubrator » Mon Apr 28, 2003 8:34 pm
<br /><br />(Your next question was):<br /><br />Maybe I should ask, what do the experts here think is a good minimum set of grammar to have under one's belt before attempting Anabasis?<br /><br /><br />Well, I believe it's good to be learning a language in multiple different ways at once. For instance it's good (and essential) to work through a grammar book to learn the way the language actually works, acquire vocabulary and so on, but it is also good to practice reading, and composition, and listening, and speaking. Each of these things in themselves will help one learn, but combined together will increase the speed and effectiveness with which you learn.<br /><br />That said, in order to start getting practice reading it is by no means necessary to make it all the way to the end of a grammar book in order to start reading, but you should at least make a good start. I'd say make sure you know everything in the first five lessons of your book well, and then add a little reading each day. Through the reading you will pick up new vocabulary. It will be slow at first, but don't let it deter you. When you can't make sense of something it won't be because you are an idiot and no good at language, but because you are looking at a construction that has not yet been presented to you. Do the best you can! learn the new vocabulary, and make use of the helpful notes in the commentary of your reader. The only no no, is to grab a translation of Xenophon in English to help you make it through it. In this way your mind will not begin adapting itself to the Greek language. So, if you get into a spot where you just can't make sense out of something, and you will, write down your questions. Come back to the Forum and ask them.<br /><br />Incidentally, I am going to refrain from answering every question posted by beginners, because I don't want textkit to become like a classroom where there are teachers and students and where the students stop thinking for themselves because they can just ask a teacher, and whatever the teacher says must be true. Noooooo!<br /><br />One of the best ways that we humans learn, is by talking about what we are learning, and even as beginners, I encourage everyone here, to read other peoples questions; you might just know the answers to help someone else out, or you may know where to look it up. Doing so to help another will reinforce your knowledge. And guess what Lex? To the student that want's to learn Greek and doesn't have a book yet, you are already amasing!!!! <br /><br />How did that saying go about "in the kingdom of the blind the one-eyed are kings"? 
You know the alphabet, you know the concept of declensions and cases, you know and are more in touch with the problems faced by the beginner than we old hands are. Everybody has a worthy contribution to make.<br /><br />By the way, congratulations on deciding which of those systems works best for you. You are starting to forge your own path, which is essential. The advanced among us here will keep a look out to make sure you are not committing any grave errors or developing bad habits which you'll have to unlearn later.<br /><br />Also, as a tip from someone who can see a little farther than you for the moment what the terrain ahead of you looks like. If there is anything you can skimp out on for the moment, in fact, I recommend that you actually ignore it. It is the dual voice. The dual voice is a beautiful thing, but occurs so little, in what you will at first be reading (if at all) that it will slow you down for no reason right now. Later on when you pick up authors who employ it, it is quick to learn. But save that for later. Look at Whites descriptions of it and read it over, but don't worry about writing out the dual when you practice your declensions. Unless of course, you are severely cross-eyed, perpetually intoxicated, or suffering from some other type of affliction which causes you to see 2 of everything. In that case I advise it wholeheartedly, as you will be making heavy use of it in when you try to speak ancient Greek with others. 
::) ;Dby Lex » Mon Apr 28, 2003 9:05 pm
by Dean » Tue May 06, 2003 3:54 am
by Elucubrator » Tue May 06, 2003 5:13 am
<br /><br />This doesn't mean that there shouldn't be interaction and discussion about grammatical points, syntactical constructions, or even comparing alternative translations on a particular sentence and discussing the virtues of one as opposed to the other, as long as your posts raise questions, discuss interesting points of the language that are different to English there is nothing wrong. This is encouraged. We only oppose the posting of a blank answer list. And because we know it can help we are working on putting them together for you, so that you may CHECK your exercises. Do not let the keys rob you of the pleasure of working the exercises out for yourselves. <br /><br />Study in groups can be very fun in real time chat, and this will be easier if people get the MSN messenger (and all the rest) that will make you most adaptable to anyone else.<br /><br />By the way, Dean, to what page of White have you already made it?<br /><br />Sebastianby Dean » Tue May 06, 2003 7:33 am
by vinobrien » Tue May 06, 2003 10:23 am
by Alan » Sun Aug 24, 2003 8:39 pm
by mingshey » Mon Aug 25, 2003 2:37 am
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