# smyth and the basics

**URL:** <https://www.textkit.com/t/smyth-and-the-basics/13915>\
**Category:** Learning Greek\
**Created:** [December 5, 2015, 1:59pm UTC](https://www.textkit.com/t/smyth-and-the-basics/13915 "2015-12-05T13:59:24Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 1

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**Author:** ![Sofronios](https://www.textkit.com/user_avatar/www.textkit.com/sofronios/32/114_2.png) [@Sofronios](https://www.textkit.com/u/Sofronios)\
**Post date:** [December 5, 2015, 1:59pm UTC](https://www.textkit.com/t/smyth-and-the-basics/13915/1 "2015-12-05T13:59:24Z")

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I hope what I write here is worthy enough to be posted here  
well, its been a while I try to make sense this simple yet nerve-consuming sentence (again from JACT RG page 136 last sentence)  
ὄζουσι χαὗται πρεσβέων εἰς τὰς πόλεις ὀξύτατα  
weirdly enough for me, with JACT hints, I could understand this sentence but only the second word χαὗται.  
this is strange because if it is a new vocab JACT will give the help or hints, but because it is absent so I think it is either JACT regard it as an old vocab that one should know (but I really dont), or it is a typo. then I decided it is just a typo, but when I looked up into the first ed which is not differ too much, the very word is there from the start.. so by Apollo, It really disturbs me.  
then I was thinking where I could consult a resource that can answer this problem, (for there is no teacher around and I bet those good fellow who made JACT design it for a teaching course not for self study from the start).. so it happened when I try to consult Smyth. I found the answer on this problem about crasis (on page 22) that και will drop αι and change to χ with rough breathing. so the form is actually και + ἇυται. and to think of it, a novice whose ears still wet is utilizing this tome respected by those of high greek-literacy, that I never think before.

so what I want to make a point is, for fellow beginner who self-taught, to consult smyth even at this stage, when we seems a blocked way ahead. even though It’s reference content is meant for those who have good grip on the basics, but I think the presentation is easy enough to follow even though we are not expected to digest all presented at the same time. for it is what a reference is for, to be consulted not to be memorized in one sitting..  
so what do you ppl think? do you have same experience or advice?

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