Classical vs. Koine

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Keesa
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Classical vs. Koine

Post by Keesa »

I'm learning Greek. When I go to college (2004) I'll be taking Greek (Koine), and I would like to get a jump start on it...at the same time, I really want to learn Classical Greek. I'll be learning both of them eventually, but which one would the pros out there suggest I learn first? <br /><br />Keesa

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klewlis
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Re:Classical vs. Koine

Post by klewlis »

i'm coming from the other direction, so i'm not an expert on classical... but because it's so much broader and more comprehensive, i would think that if you learn classical first koine will be a breeze... you'll just have to learn the new vocab and some differences in usage.
First say to yourself what you would be; then do what you need to do. ~Epictetus

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Jeff Tirey
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Re:Classical vs. Koine

Post by Jeff Tirey »

First of, all what do want to read? You said you'll be taking Koine in College so it sounds like you have some reading goals in mind.<br /><br />
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Keesa
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Re:Classical vs. Koine

Post by Keesa »

My reading goals aren't much help to me. I definitely want to learn Koine, because I would like to read the New Testament in it's original language. However, I also want to learn Classical, so that I can read Homer in his original language. So...I want to learn them both, I'm just not sure where to start. <br /><br />Keesa

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Jeff Tirey
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Re:Classical vs. Koine

Post by Jeff Tirey »

I would start with Homer then.<br /><br />On advantage is that there is more Textkit material available for download and other forum members here to help you.<br /><br />Just start learning Greek - that's what's important.<br /><br />jeff
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Keesa
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Re:Classical vs. Koine

Post by Keesa »

Thanks! Now I have a general idea of where to start. Textkit is great. <br /><br />Keesa

adz000
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Re:Classical vs. Koine

Post by adz000 »

I would argue strongly that you learn Classical before Koine since Koine is basically a subset of Classical. While it sounds logical to start with smaller units and work up to the larger, it is in practice MUCH easier to learn more complex grammar first so that you'll be more comfortable with it over a longer period of time. Having learnt Attic first, reading the New Testament makes me feel over-confident in my Greek much like reading medieval Latin does to my Classical Latin. My guess is that if you learn Koine first, unless you set yourself learning Classical Greek with unusual punctiliousness, Classical Greek will remain mystifying and slightly outside your reach. But then again, this may be a state of affairs that's perfectly acceptable if you're honest with yourself about how much Attic Greek you plan to read.<br /><br />As for preferring Homeric Greek to Attic for learning first, Clyde Pharr makes a great case for the former in his textbook on Homer. I'd be slightly skeptical for two reasons: it's impossible to hear poetry without hearing prose and instinctively knowing how the two differ (I read Virgil before Cicero and it took years of exposure to prose for me to go back to Virgil with real appreciation); since my first suggestion is that you should learn first what you plan to spend the most time with, unless you fall in love with Homer, it's likely you'll be spending more time with Attic Greek so you ought to learn it first.<br /><br />Keep in mind that all of this advice is crap: ideal plans for a real world. Learn what grabs you and you'll keep doing it automatically. If you learn Koine first and then discover a deep love of Attic Greek it will barely matter that you had Koine initially, since your love of the language will motivate you to learn Attoc as well, if not better, than others who have learnt it with no particular attachment.<br /><br />In summary: it's a good decision to think about if you have definite goals about what you plan to accomplish, but if you don't really know what you want to devote yourself to (or are constrained by university courses, etc.), don't take the decision too seriously and enjoy the ride.<br /><br />Best wishes!<br />Adam<br /><br />PS<br />If it is university courses that are forcing you to learn Koine rather than Attic, by all means you should get in contact with your professor and let him know this. It's more than likely that he'll be able to give you extra material.

Keesa
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Re:Classical vs. Koine

Post by Keesa »

[quote author=adz000 link=board=2;threadid=384;start=0#3156 date=1060386953]<br />I would argue strongly that you learn Classical before Koine since Koine is basically a subset of Classical. <br /><br />The more I think about it, the more sense it makes to start with the beginning and progress in the direction that the language progresses. <br /><br />PS<br />If it is university courses that are forcing you to learn Koine rather than Attic, by all means you should get in contact with your professor and let him know this. It's more than likely that he'll be able to give you extra material.<br />[/quote]<br /><br />For the next two years, what I study in Greek is up to me. However, I will be taking Koine Greek in University, and I'd like to get a head start on it. Two years should be enough, though, for me to get a good grounding in Classical Greek first. <br /><br />Thanks for your advice! <br /><br />Keesa

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