I’m curious on how were Latin words using the consonantal-u transliterated to greek in the Classical times, and what sound did the letter they used for consonantal-u have.
Can anyone help satisfying this curiosity of mine?
It varied, depending, evidently, on when the word was borrowed.
οὐετρανός = vet(e)ranus ‘veteran’.
οὐαλεριος Valerius.
In Greek ου corresponds to the long Latin u.
Later borrowings reflect the switch of both Latin consonantal u and Greek β to a fricative (like initial or intervocalic b/v in most Spanish dialects, on the way to a ‘v’ like in English).
βιγλεύω vig(i)lo ‘keep watch’.
Thanks! I see that J.W.White’s First Greek Book says the diphthong ου corresponds to english group, so the greeks really transliterated consonantal-u as a long u. And I thought I should say it sounding like a even-shorter u.
That sign over the υ is just a smoot breathing, eh?
whispering
I know this is off-topic, but could you show me a website where I could listen to some attic greek?
Thanks again for the prompt answer.