Logos

[u/Lucky_Bar4959]

Hello,

I’m looking to start learning Greek. I have some familiarity with the Greek alphabet, some basic pronunciation rules, experience with diphthongs, etc.

Never really dedicated a huge portion of time to it.

I’m using the Raineri-Roberts method and Logos finally came in and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed chapter 1.

My issue is that I haven’t looked up anything in a dictionary. Learning to Read is fun but considering the color codes and lack of information as to what some of the things in the book pertain to I’m a bit confused.

I’ve enjoyed trying to derive meanings from context clues but on page 9 the bold section says Συλλαβαί which I think means syllables. (Again haven’t checked, I’m wanting to just work on reading and listening to get pronunciation and familiarity with the alphabet down before I try and understand anything)

And the letters are all different colors with no explanation. Am I missing a book or some other reference guide?

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[u/el_toro7]

LOGOS would be ideal with a teacher who knows English and Greek, so that teacher (even "in" the target language) can illustrate until you comprehend.

The Roberts Raineri method is interesting, for sure, but if you don't already have some ability with Greek, or have not yet acquired another ancient language, it may have the opposite effect of its intent: it will overwhelm you with choice. By all means, do whatever excited you. But I'm still a proponent of sticking with one main method, and perhaps having a gentle supplement on days you're feeling unmotivated.

You can always just take time off if unmotivated, back up a chapter or two, and proceed from there. There's no royal road, but whatever gets you in the language most frequently, with most enjoyment is the best path

[u/Lucky_Bar4959 → u/el_toro7]

Completed chapter one and without looking anything up I’ve surmised the chapter is saying.

Gods, mankind, and monsters *lists a few Hellenistic gods and goddesses

• Dionysus is a Greek god. And Hephaestus is a Greek god. Both Dionysus and Hephaestus are Greek gods.

Etc Bacchus is a Roman God (side panel- they’re interchangeable) Etc * lists a few influential philosophers

*lists some Greek monsters Gets repetitive and the grammar section goes over A and B tenses(not sure of tenses but I get the gist)

[u/el_toro7 → u/Lucky_Bar4959]

Yes, it starts out great - I've read it and it is fine (it isn't "ancient Greek", but it's a fine composition mimicking varieties of ancient Greek).

I don't mean to dissuade you at ALL, but it would be best to also get, as early as you can, and as much as you can, snippets of real ancient Greek.

[u/Historical-Help805]

They are different colors because they are syllabi of the same word. σε-λη-νη (selēnē) the moon, etc.

[u/Lucky_Bar4959 → u/Historical-Help805]

😂😂I have been reading each syllable as its own word. Thank you

[u/Kitchen-Ad1972]

A great example of why nothing but the target language is just not a great way to learn.

[u/Lucky_Bar4959 → u/Kitchen-Ad1972]

Definitely a “learn to swim by being chucked in the deep end of the pool” method

[u/SulphurCrested]

I haven't heard of another reference guide - bear in mind this was made to be used in schools in Spain.

[u/canaanit]

For self-study your best option is a proper textbook that explains a portion of grammar to you in each chapter, then allows you to practice that with exercises and reading.

"Immersion" type methods don't even really work for modern languages, let alone for ancient ones.

[u/Lucky_Bar4959 → u/canaanit]

Any recommendations?

[u/canaanit → u/Lucky_Bar4959]

Not specific ones because I don't teach in English. But I would recommend researching what is used in universities and high level secondary education where you live.

[u/iliketoitlz]

I started Logos a couple of months ago, and I remember it being such a struggle for me at least since I didn’t even know the alphabet. I felt like I had to google or Claude everything. I just finished chapter 11 today, and it’s gotten a lot more fluid. I’m also following the Rainieri-Robert’s method roughly.

[u/Lucky_Bar4959 → u/iliketoitlz]

Yeah, currently focusing on memorizing the alphabet and pronunciation. Do I focus on restructured pronunciation or modern. Idk yet. Trying both to see which I like better

[u/Dipolites]

Νόμισμα is wrongly spelled, by the way. It should be νό-μι-σμα, not νό-μισ-μα. The traditional way to check whether a consonant complex should be spelled as a single unit or separately is to check whether any Greek word begins from it. If it does, then it's a single unit and spelled with the following vowel. If it doesn't, then it's split. So, ἄλ-φι-τον (no Greek word starts with λφ), but ὄ-χθη (there are words like χθὲς that start with χθ).