How much do you know about greek?

For how many years has the Greek language been recorded in written form, making it one of the oldest recorded living languages?

• around 500 years

• around 1200 years

• around 3400 years

Answer explanation

1. Greek is one of the oldest recorded living languages, with a history spanning over 3,400 years. The earliest written records date back to the Mycenaean period (around 1450-1200 BCE), when a different writing system was used, Linear B.

The word "alphabet" comes from the first two letters of the Greek alphabet, alpha and beta.

• True

• False

What is "greeklish"?

• A mixture of Greek and English words in conversation.

• The use of Latin characters to write Greek words.

• A modern form of ancient Greek script.

Answer explanation

Older computer and mobile operating systems often didn’t have an option for users to write in the Greek alphabet, so “Greeklish” developed as a workaround.

Vowels were first used in the Greek alphabet.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

The Greek alphabet was adopted from the Phoenicians at some point in the 8th century BCE. However, Phoenicians didn’t have letters for the vowels; it was the Greeks who added them, thereby creating the first “complete” or “real” alphabet, one that had one letter for every phoneme and vice versa.

The current official Greek language was established in:

• 1976

• 1821

• 1456

Answer explanation

Before 1976, Greek had two officially recognized versions. Demotic was applied in just about all everyday situations as well as in literature. Katharevousa, on the other hand, was employed in education, legislation, medicine, journalism, and the military services. Even so, in 1976, the Greek government declared Demotic to be the official language. Some remnants of Katharevousa still persist today.

Almost every English word that starts with “ph” is rooted in Greek.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Some examples: physics, philosophy, photo, phrase, phoneme, phobia, philanthropy, phenomenon, phantom, etc.

The expression "Περαστικά!" is used:

• To congratulate someone on their achievement

• To say goodbye to a friend

• To wish someone a speedy recovery

The expression "Με γεια!" is used:

• To congratulate someone on their new purchase or haircut

• To wish someone good luck before an important event

• To thank someone for their help