The First Language

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Steve Gray S
Steve Gray Nov 24, 2005 11:11:09
Replying to Littlestone

I know there are significant pronunciation differences between ancient Greek, Byzantine Greek and modern Greek. In modern Greek "d" is pronounced like a voiced "th", similar you the "th" in "than". So the Greek "two" is pronounced "theeo"; "delta" is spoken as "thelta". "t" is pronounced like a short "d", so three is "dria" and "h" (which is written like an "X") is pronounced like the "ch" in "loch", so seven is "chepta", which does bear some similarity to "septa". Another difference is that the Greek letter "b" is pronounced as a "v", so "beta" is pronounced "veeta".

L Littlestone
Littlestone Nov 24, 2005 17:37:02
Replying to Steve Gray

>..."h" (which is written like an "X") is pronounced like the "ch" in "loch""...<

Yes, good points Steve. The x on our xmas cards of course derives from the Greek where it sounds something like 'kish'. The Greek family name of Xilas is pronounced something like Kishilas.

What interests me here however is the possibility of an original common language and how that might help us understand how (and perhaps when) ancient peoples moved around the world. I believe some linguists have started researching this but we're talking of a time that pre-dates even the earliest language groups such as Indo-European - fascinating stuff though :-)